News

NEW YORK, NY May 16, 2008 —The federal Department of Transportation wants JFK and Newark Airports to auction off some of their peak take-off and landing time-slots in order to cut down on air traffic congestion.

The Port Authority, which runs the airports, called the plan poorly conceived and said it wouldn't increase capacity and would result in higher fares.

But, DOT General Council, D.J. Gribbon says their auction proposal will better benefit passengers...

GRIBBON: A capped airports fairs typically increase by 11 to 15-percent over similar flights at other airports. Economists have also estimated fares can drop by 20 or 30-percent when new airlines ender a market. Simply put competition, no surprisingly drives down competition.

REPORTER: Their proposal is similar to what they asked LaGuardia to do last month.

The Port Authority and the airlines say they'll mount a legal challenge against the plan.

The DOT also said it would spend $2 million to study ways to add transit connections to Stewart Airport in Orange County, about 90 miles north of the city.