DOT withdraws controversial slot auctions

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) announced recently it intends to cancel proposed slot auctions at New York’s three main area airports, reversing a controversial rule put in place by DOT in the waning days of the Bush administration.

The plan to requisition slots from airlines at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark and auction them to reduce delays had been tied up in court since it was proposed last fall following legal challenges by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airports, as well as the Air Transport Association and IATA.