ACI-NA Applauds GAO Opinion Regarding Slots at Newark

ACI-NA Applauds GAO Opinion Regarding Slots at NewarkWASHINGTON (Oct. 1, 2008) – Airports Council International–North America (ACI-NA) applauded the Government Accountability Organization (GAO) General Counsel opinion that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lacks authority to auction arrival and departure slots at Newark Liberty International Airport (Newark).  The opinion also concluded that FAA similarly lacks authority to retain and use auction proceeds as proposed in the pending rulemaking proposals for LaGuardia Airport and for John F. Kennedy International Airport. 

In comments filed with FAA regarding the slot proposals, ACI-NA made the case that FAA did not have the statutory authority to conduct the auctions and was unlawfully usurping the proprietary right of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) with the misconceived proposal.

“We are pleased that the GAO decision vindicated the airport position that FAA has no statutory authority to force the slot auctions, which are universally opposed by the airport industry,” said Greg Principato, President of ACI-NA. “FAA should focus on working collaboratively with the PANYNJ to develop and implement a reasonable and effective program to reduce passenger delays and congestion.”

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