In an effort to ease congestion in the crowded airspace over New York City-area airports next summer, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters is expected to announce shifts in flights to less busy times. As a result of the agreement, negotiated by government officials with the airlines and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, FAA will not order a reduction in number of flights per hour at John F. Kennedy International Airport, at least for now. Peters is also likely to address plans to smooth traffic over the Christmas holiday. Last week, the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee submitted a report to Peters outlining possible solutions to the congestion. The group looked at schedule cuts, shifting flights to less busy times, gate utilization and congestion pricing and auctions. The committee also recommended appointing a "czar" to oversee the New York metropolitan area air space. “New York is at the center of the delay equation, and so it must be the focus of any solutions we put up on the board,” Peters said.