Air Transport Association warns of legal challenge to slot auctions

Airline Industry Information, Oct 10, 2008

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The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), which represents airlines in the US, has said that the decision by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to go ahead with slot auctions in New York is "ill-conceived" and will result in a lengthy and costly legal challenge.

The DOT decision comes despite a statement from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not have the legal authority to auction slots at the three New York-area airports.

Instead of pressing ahead with slot auctions the DOT should "follow the recommendations made by the New York Aviation Rulemaking Committee and implement fair and practical solutions to address delays and add needed new capacity," said ATA's president and CEO James C. May.

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