As expected the Air Transport Association (ATA) filed suit against the Federal Aviation Administration federal court to invalidate two slot auction rules, one rule for LGA and another for both JFK and EWR. ATA’s law suit challenges FAA’s claim that slots are agency property that can be leased or otherwise disposed of under FAA’s general property management authority. ATA will seek a stay of the auction planned for early January.
Meanwhile, Congress wants the Department of Transportation Inspector General Calvin Sovell to investigate the auctions which the General Accountability Office ruled are illegal. Related Story The investigation was requested by Washington State Senator Patty Murray, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies and Representative James Oberstar, who chairs the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
``Your office has the statutory responsibility and duty to investigate potential unlawful behavior and report violations,'' said the two legislators in their letter to Scovell. “We ask that you immediately investigate this matter to determine if, in fact, the FAA intends to engage in acts that would be a willful violation of the Antideficiency Act and the Purpose Statute. Moreover, we ask that you carefully investigate the communications between senior appointed DOT/FAA officials and the career staff that might be required to carry out such activities at the behest of the appointed leadership. We are sure you agree that no career officials should be coerced, compelled or otherwise required by their superiors to knowingly engage in illegal conduct.”