NEW YORK, NY August 05, 2008 —The Port Authority is threatening to block a plan to auction takeoff and landing slots at the region's three major airports. Under the proposal, which the U.S. Department of Transportation hopes to put into practice by the end of President Bush's term, up to 10 percent of the airports' slots would be sold to the highest bidder. The Port Authority's Director of Aviation, William DeCota, says auctions are the wrong approach.

DECOTA: It really doesn't have anything to do with expanding capacity, it doesn't have anything to do with improving air traffic control. It doesn't really have anything to do with reducing the delay situation.

REPORTER: Mayor Bloomberg doesn't have authority over the matter. But speaking at an unrelated press event yesterday, he sided with the Bush administration.

BLOOMBERG: It seems to me to make a lot of sense quite honestly. You encourage big planes that carry more people.

REPORTER: As the owner and operator of the airports, the Port Authority says it has the last word. The agency is giving the public 14 days to comment on its proposed rule that would block an airplane from taking off or landing if it procured its slot through an auction. The federal Transportation Department says it is, "extremely disappointed," with the Port Authority's move.