Aviation Congestion

Recent Actions/Activities

July 10

On July 10, 2008, the Office of the Secretary (OST) and the FAA issued a final rule updating the Rates and Charges policy to allow airports and airlines to work together to manage the effects of congestion at their facilities. The new policy makes permanent the changes proposed in the NPRM: allowing two-part fee structures, charging for work under construction, and factoring in costs of alternative, uncongested airports. The new policy was publicly released by the Federal Register the morning of July 10 to coincide with Secretary Mary Peters’ speech to AAAE; the policy will likely be published on Monday. Read the full press release or the official Register notice once it appears on www.regulations.gov.

May 22

Opening of Military Airspace for Memorial Day Weekend Flights

May 16

In our continuing efforts to further the interests of the consumer and the Federal government’s goals of efficient and safe air travel, on May 16, 2008, DOT issued a proposed rulemaking to auction slots at New York’s John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty International Airports in order to spur increased competition among the airlines at the airport; issued a cap on operations during peak periods at Newark in order to mitigate congestion; and, implemented new information requirements to ensure that the consumer will be fully informed when making air travel choices.

- Press Release

- Fact Sheet

- Secretary's Remarks

- JFK and Newark Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM)

- Slot Auction Proposal Graphic

- What They Are Saying Regarding Airport Pricing

- Newark Operations Cap Order 

- Final Airline Tarmac Delay Data Rule

- Guidance for Disclosure of Fees for Checked Baggage

Tell us what you think!  Go to In the Fast Lane, The Official Blog of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation…

April 16

On April 16, 2008, DOT issued a proposed rulemaking to cap flights and auction flight slots at New York’s LaGuardia Airport in order to mitigate air congestion and spur increased competition among the airlines at the airport; issued a Denied Boarding Compensation final rule that, among other provisions, increases the maximum payment to $800; and, implements several operational improvements that will increase capacity and provide for more efficiency in the National Airspace System.

- Press Release

- Transcription of press conference regarding aviation congestion

- LaGuardia Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rule Making (SNPRM)

- Fact Sheet for April 16, 2008 Airport Congestion Actions

- Denied Boarding Compensation Rule

- Original DOT Oversales Rule

- April 16, 2008 Amendment Expanding Protections