[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 38 (Friday, February 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9017-9018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3958]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Orders Limiting Scheduled Operations at John F. Kennedy
International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty
International Airport; High Density Rule at Reagan National Airport
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of limited waiver of the slot usage requirement.
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SUMMARY: This action announces a limited waiver of the requirements to
use slots at Washington's Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Operating
Authorizations (slots) at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK),
LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport
(EWR). This policy is effective from February 5, 2010 through February
15, 2010.
DATES: Effective upon publication.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Hawks, Office of the Chief
Counsel, Regulations Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenues, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
7143; e-mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Multiple snowstorms in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United
States beginning February 5, 2010, severely disrupted aviation and
other modes of transportation. Substantial amounts of snow from these
storms resulted in numerous airport closures. Airports' capacity was
also significantly reduced due to weather, snow removal operations, and
aircraft deicing programs. Air carriers responded by cancelling flights
and combining operations, and the FAA used traffic management programs
as needed to manage traffic with available airspace and airport
capacity. Carriers instituted network operational recovery plans during
this time to position aircraft and crews needed to resume scheduled
operations.
The degree of disruption and cancellations varied by airport and by
day, but DCA, JFK, LGA, and EWR all were affected by the storms.
However, the flight disruptions were not limited to the slot-controlled
airports. Operations at other airports in the Washington, DC, area and
throughout the eastern United States were likewise impacted. Recovery
of normal operations took several days after the initial storms and was
exacerbated by subsequent adverse weather conditions. Operations at all
airports appeared to return to normal by February 16.
Under the FAA's High Density Rule and orders limiting scheduled
operations at the airports, slots must be used at least 80 percent of
the time. Slots not meeting the minimum usage rules will be withdrawn
or not receive historic precedence for the following scheduling season,
depending on the
[[Page 9018]]
airport.\1\ The FAA may grant a waiver from the minimum usage
requirements in highly unusual and unpredictable conditions that are
beyond the control of the carrier and affect carrier operations for a
period of five consecutive days or more.
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\1\ 14 CFR Sec. 93.227 (DCA); 74 FR 51648 (Oct. 7, 2009) (EWR);
74 FR 51650 (Oct. 7, 2009) (JFK); 74 FR 51653 (Oct. 7, 2009) (LGA).
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Statement of Policy
The FAA has determined these unusual circumstances meet the
criteria for a limited waiver of the minimum slot usage. Accordingly,
the FAA will treat as used any slot or Operating Authorization held by
a carrier from February 5 through 15, 2010.
The FAA does not intend to routinely grant general waivers to the
usage requirements. Rules allow for up to 20 percent nonuse, including
planned and unplanned cancellations. These rules are expected to
accommodate routine weather and other cancellations under all but the
most unusual circumstances.
Issued in Washington, DC on February 19th, 2010.
James W. Whitlow,
Acting Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2010-3958 Filed 2-25-10; 8:45 am]
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