FAA extends slot waiver at New York airports

Through October 28, 2023, the FAA will grant airlines certain flexibility regarding the conditions for slot usage at airports serving the New York metropolitan area. The organization continues to anticipate that airlines would fly bigger planes to carry more people and make sure that customers are adequately informed of any potential delays.

The revised date falls during the International Air Transport Association’s summer travel season when airline traffic is often higher. Additionally, due to the post-pandemic effects on the ATC staffing at N90 for the purposes of establishing a carrier’s operational baseline in the following corresponding season, the FAA has decided to extend the limited policy for prioritising returned operations at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) through October 28, 2023.

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For the period from September 16, 2023, through October 28, 2023, carriers may voluntarily turn in up to 10% of their authorised operating hours at EWR.

Major airlines requested an extension of the waiver on Monday, claiming that staffing levels in a crucial area of New York’s aviation traffic have not “meaningfully improved.” Early in late June, United requested an extension. If airlines do not use their take-off and landing slots at crowded airports at least 80% of the time, they risk losing them.

The FAA reported that it was collaborating closely with a significant air traffic controller union to put in place a long-term fix for the persistently understaffed Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) in New York. According to a federal audit released in June, the FAA has a significant personnel shortage in air traffic control, and the manning at the New York TRACON was 54% below ideal levels.

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As the FAA deals with a staffing lack for air traffic controllers, the industry trade group Airlines for America stated on Wednesday that it appreciates the waiver extension. The group also said that U.S. airlines would keep flying bigger planes to ease the strain on the country’s airspace.

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