DOT 126-07
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Contact: Brian Turmail
Tel.: (202) 366-4570

Department of Transportation’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee Completes Work Evaluating Range of Solutions for New York Area Congestion

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters today said the Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) she created to review potential solutions to the gridlock hampering New York-area airports has completed its work and submitted feedback on a range of congestion-fighting possibilities for the region.

“This group was created to provide the federal government an opportunity to understand all the implications – positive and negative – of any actions we take to reduce congestion and delays in the New York area,” Secretary Peters said. “Having everyone in the room to hash out options was very helpful to the process.”

The ARC report submitted to the Secretary does not make recommendations, but rather provides a point – counterpoint on possible New York area solutions, ranging from congestion pricing and slot auctions, to schedule reductions and the appointment of an aviation czar. The feedback in the report will be used to develop recommendations to help reduce record airline delays, the Secretary said.

ARC members included officials from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, airlines, consumer groups, the FAA and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Secretary Peters established the panel in September to help the Department understand how any changes would affect the ability of the airlines and airports to serve the traveling public.

The aviation panel was established after an especially grueling summer of airline delays for travelers, and because of the enormous impact the New York region has on air travel across the country, Secretary Peters said. One-third of the nation’s air traffic goes in, out, or over New York airspace every day, accounting for three-quarters of all chronic airline delays nationwide, she said.

“New York is at the center of the delay equation, and so it must be the focus of any solutions we put up on the board,” Secretary Peters said.

A copy of the ARC’s report to the Secretary can be found at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/FinalARCReport.pdf and http://www.dot.gov/affairs/ARCCoverLetter.pdf