Agreement to cut air travel delays?
The Department of Transportation announced Wednesday a series of changes to ease air travel delays that were viewed as “friendly” to some airlines but with some negative impact for passengers.
The changes were intended to counter delays over the Christmas/New Year’s holidays and through the rest of the year.
They included a “voluntary pact” with airlines to cap the number of flights that John F. Kennedy International Airport handles every hour. Discussions are underway at other area airports.
“Analysts view established carriers such as JetBlue Airways Corp. and Continental Airlines Inc. as winners — and smaller startups or any carrier looking to grow as losers — under the federal government’s plan to limit the number of hourly flights at New York area airports,” said the AP.
Under new Transportation Department rules set to take effect in March, John F. Kennedy International Airport will be allowed only 82 to 83 flights per hour at peak times, down significantly from 90 to 100 per hour at peak times this past summer. Newark Liberty Airport faces similar caps, though the exact number has yet to be determined. Flight caps are already in place at LaGuardia Airport.
For carriers that already have significant operations at the airports, flight caps help by keeping competitors out.
“It discourages new entrants,” said Michael Derchin, an analyst at FTN Midwest Securities Corp. in New York.
That’s good for incumbent airlines, but not for consumers.
“A tighter seat supply could enable airlines to raise prices,” said Ray Neidl, an analyst at Calyon Securities in New York.
The government also plans to auction off new runway time slots at Newark and JFK as they expand capacity.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026