NEW YORK, NY January 15, 2008 —Local officials say a new federal plan to ease nationwide flight delays is a short term solution to a larger problem.

The US Transportation Secretary was in the city to announce some new rules for airlines. WNYC's Richard Hake reports.

Currently when a plane lands, it's charged a fee based on its weight. But soon, it will be charged based on what time it lands and the volume of traffic at the time.

Transportation Secretary Mary Peters says the congestion pricing plan would ease flight delays during peak periods.

PETERS: The airports will be able to use the power of pricing to encourage aircraft operators to spread their schedules more evenly throughout the day.

Peters predicts airline ticket prices to be minimally impacted. Yet critics of the government's air travel system, like New York congressman Jerrold Nadler, say it's only a band-aid.

NADLER: The somewhat longer term answer which should be much quicker than they are doing it to get the more modern radar and air traffic controller systems in place, which will be a few years off which they should put in here right away.

The Port Authority, which will be able to collect the new landing fees, welcomes the new plan but it too says it's a small step.

It wants 21st century technology implemented and has an extensive recommendations that is says should be considered. For WNYC, I'm Richard Hake.