Controversial Fee Policy Issued by DOT

Saying it will alleviate congestion, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters released a new national policy that would make it easier for overcrowded airports to add capacity and reduce delays by encouraging airlines to spread their flights more evenly throughout the day. The new policy is sure to draw industry ire since congestion pricing is something it has opposed. The Air Transport Association immediately released a statement saying that the new policy did nothing to address the main cause of delays, an outdated air traffic control system. It also said, it would do little except increase the cost of flying.
Once finalized, DOT will "encourage congested airports" to move away from the decades-old practice of charging aircraft landing fees based simply on the weight of the plane, Secretary Peters said. Instead, airports would have the flexibility to vary charges based on the time of day and the volume of traffic. Fees could also be distributed through an airport authority’s airports, meaning fees from JFK could be used at Newark. In addition, FAA’s Policy on Airport Rates and Charges, allows airport to use them for current airport projects rather than waiting for such projects to be completed before factoring them into fees. The proposed policy change will be open to public comment for 45 days before it is finalized. For a complete analysis, see the next issue of Regional Aviation News.