Airlines ask FAA to extend New York slot waivers through late 2025
Airlines want permission to operate fewer flights to New York without penalty through most of 2025; they're citing a continued shortage of air traffic controllers that carriers don't expect will sufficiently improve within the next 18 months.
Last week, Airlines for America — a lobbying group for the largest U.S. carriers — requested that the Federal Aviation Administration extend its relaxed scheduling rules for airlines in New York through at least October 2025, according to a letter viewed by TPG.
The FAA is reviewing the request, a spokesperson told TPG Friday.
New York and DC 'slot' rules
Last spring, the FAA first allowed airlines to reduce capacity — without penalty — in the New York region at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
Slots rules, explained: The little-understood government rule that allows airlines to dominate certain airports
This added flexibility takes some of the bite out of use-it-or-lose-it rules around the "slots" the FAA employs at JFK and LaGuardia. Essentially, one slot coveys the right for an airline to operate one takeoff or one landing. Current rules mandate airlines use their slots for a certain amount of the year at those airports, or they risk forfeiting them. This is meant to prevent airlines from hoarding slots they don't intend to use as a way of keeping rival airlines out.
Similar rules govern Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The FAA also closely meters takeoffs and landings at Newark.
New York ATC constraints
Staffing levels at the agency's critical New York air traffic control facility are lagging far behind targets; so, in 2023, the agency began temporarily allowing airlines to voluntarily reduce their schedules by up to 10% without the risk of forfeiting future flights.
The current waivers also allow airlines to reduce schedules between DCA and New York.
The agency's goal: to lessen the burden on the region's packed airspace and on the air traffic controllers who manage it.
Airlines widely praised the FAA's limited, conditional slot waivers, which the agency initially deployed for the summer 2023 travel season and later extended. The move has helped fuel a "noticeably better travel experience," Airlines for America said, compared with mass disruptions that plagued air travel in 2022.
As of now, those waivers are set to last through October 2024.
Concerns for 2025 and beyond
Airlines are now planning their 2025 schedules, and they fear air traffic control staffing will not improve meaningfully over the next 18 months.
"The underlying conditions creating the need for a waiver will still exist as staffing shortages persist," read the April 3 letter from the airlines.
With so many major airline hubs in New York, disruptions there can trigger national disruptions and "ripple across the entire system," airlines noted.
Staffing shortages a lingering problem
The FAA's air traffic control staffing shortages date back years. But, they accelerated over the last decade under the collective effects of sequestration, multiple government shutdowns and the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite the FAA upping its hiring goals for new controllers, February staffing at the critical New York air traffic control facility sat at just 59% of the agency's target, the airlines pointed out in their recent letter.
That means fewer staff on hand to manage the thousands of aircraft in the region, which gets especially challenging when an afternoon thunderstorm or dense fog hits, fueling ground stops and long waits on the taxiways.
"Absent the [slot] waiver, I think we'd have, as an industry, some real challenges in New York," Delta Air Lines executive vice president for external affairs Peter Carter said on the company's first-quarter earnings call Wednesday. "It's still an incredibly challenging environment."
Particularly in New York, airlines have been operating fewer — but larger — aircraft to accommodate demand but navigate the constraints.
Last summer, airlines flew from the New York region's three major airports with 1.2% more seats than in 2019 while operating 3.1% fewer flights, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Swift decision requested
In its letter, Airlines for America asked the FAA to decide by May 1 whether it will extend its temporary, conditional slot waivers in New York and at Reagan.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees