NATA Opposes New Slot Restrictions at JFK and Newark Airports

Washington, DC, May 7, 2015 – Today, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) filed comments in opposition to a Federal Aviation Administration proposal to impose restrictive slot limits on unscheduled operations at JFK and Newark Liberty International Airports. In filing the comments the Association’s President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks stated, “NATA does not believe the FAA has justified a need to limit unscheduled slots into these airports by any demonstration that such operations are a causal factor of congestion or significant delays.”

NATA’s comments address a number of concerns with the proposal, beginning with the fact the FAA itself acknowledges that unscheduled operations are not currently a significant factor in congestion in the New York area.  Hendricks observed that unscheduled operations into these airports remain at a relatively low number because of consumer preference for using other general aviation airports when feasible.  He also noted that the agency anticipates that in the future NextGen and other airspace improvements will yield benefits managing airspace in the region.  In addition, Hendricks expressed concerns with the data used to support the proposal and an incomplete competitive and economic analysis.

As an alternative, Hendricks proposed the agency establish and monitor operational baselines, suggesting that should unscheduled operations exceed such baselines by a defined amount, FAA work with industry to develop and implement appropriate mitigations and thus prevent unchecked operational growth in excess of capacity. “Under such a construct, all consumers will continue to enjoy equal opportunities for access.”