Aviation Congestion

New York Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC)

One-third of the Nation's air traffic moves through New York airspace, and delays in the Northeast have an effect across the country. John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, LaGuardia Airport (LaGuardia) and Newark Liberty International Airport (Newark) consistently rank among the three most delayed airports in the country.

In response to these delays, President Bush directed Secretary Peters to provide him with short-term recommendations for dealing with air congestion in the New York region by the end of 2007. On September 27, Secretary Peters announced the formation of the New York Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to help the Administration identify what options are available and consider how changes to current policy would affect the airlines and airports as they serve the traveling public. Members of the ARC included officials from the Office of the Secretary, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port Authority), the State of New York, airlines, consumer groups, and other interested parties.

The ARC issued its report (.pdf) in mid-December. The report provides a summary of ideas presented and an analysis of the benefits and downsides of the policy actions that can be taken. The transmittal letter (.pdf) to the Secretary also is available.

On December 19, the Secretary announced several short-term measures to address flight delays in the New York area. These measures include an agreement to cap hourly operations at JFK, plans to cap hourly operations at Newark, completion or near completion of 17 of 77 airport and airspace operational improvements by summer 2008, establishment of an executive-level Director position to head the New York Area Program Integration Office, and further implementation of Airspace Redesign.

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