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WASHINGTON, July 8 (Reuters) - Federal authorities on Monday extended for
two years a government limit on flights at New York's LaGuardia Airport,
quelling controversy for now over how to manage demand at one of the
nation's most-congested airports.
The Federal Aviation Administration maintained its rule that restricts the
number of new scheduled flights at the smallest of the New York-area's three
major airports through October 2004.
The agency also sought public comment on proposals to change how takeoff and
landing slots -- authority to operate -- are reallocated by the government
when they become available at LaGuardia.
The flight restriction was intended as a temporary fix when it was imposed
in February 2001 and has been credited with helping to ease dramatically the
capacity crunch at LaGuardia.
It now has been extended twice in the past year as debate continues over
whether to develop government or market-based solutions to reduce
congestion.
Flight delays at LaGuardia soared to more than 9,000 in the fall of 2000, a
record year for U.S. air travel. About half were caused by congestion.
Delays numbered just over 2,200 in May, with fewer than 100 caused by
congestion, the FAA said, citing the latest statistics.
Commercial air traffic, which plunged after the Sept. 11 attacks, has
rebounded nationwide and is almost at last summer's levels at LaGuardia.
Overall, flight delays at 32 big airports are down significantly compared
with last year, the government reported in June. LaGuardia, which was the
worst airport for delays and accounted for 25 percent of all delays
nationally in 2000, is now ranked eighth, the FAA said.
Flight delays are usually caused by several factors, including airspace and
airport congestion -- especially in the East -- bad weather and mechanical
problems.
©2002 Reuters Limited.
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