New York LaGuardia Airport's on-time performance for operations by the 11 largest carriers nearly doubled in the past year thanks to slot restrictions, improved air traffic control flows and reduced airline schedules. According to DOT's Air Travel Consumer Report for December, issued yesterday, LGA posted an on-time record of 89.7% in December 2001 for 7,323 arriving flights, nearly double its last-place performance in December 2000, when 46.6% of 9,412 flights arrived on time. By comparison, the 32 largest airports' average for on-time arrivals was 80.7% in December 2001, almost one-third better than the 62.3% average for 29 airports in December 2000. LGA's dramatically improved performance can be attributed to the 22% fewer flights arriving under schedules reduced after Sept. 11, FAA's choke point initiative and slot limitations. Just 18 months ago, LaGuardia, beleaguered by delays and congestion, was called the "poster child" for the stressed aviation infrastructure. Copyright 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.