FAA extends NYC 'slot waiver' amid air traffic controller shortage, flight delays
The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday that it will extend its slot waiver for New York City-area airports through Oct. 28, citing an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers in the region.
The slot waiver was initially issued to cover May 15 through Sept.15 as part of an effort to avoid congestion and help airlines and controllers recover from delays caused by summer storms.
In a statement, the FAA said the extension aligns the waiver with the official summer travel season, which is defined by the International Air Transport Association and which typically sees greater travel demand. Notably, airlines have said that summer travel habits are extending further into the fall, suggesting demand will remain high through at least October.
The slot waiver allows airlines to operate fewer flights to and from the affected airports but use bigger planes to avoid reducing the total amount of capacity on certain routes. The FAA said that under the summer slot waiver, the total number of flights into New York City airports has been reduced by 6%, even as the total number of seats has increased by 2%, thanks to the use of bigger jets.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C., is included in the waiver, largely because many of the reduced flight frequencies were routes between New York and Washington.
The background: How do airport 'slots' work?
"Slots" are essentially "rights" for an airline to operate at certain high-volume airports. Each slot an airline possesses gives it the right to operate one takeoff or landing. A "slot pair" refers to one arrival and one departure slot. The slot system regulates air traffic flow and prevents dangerous overcrowding at airports. It also prevents anti-competitive entrenchment by carriers.
In the U.S., there are three airports where the FAA enforces slot controls: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Another busy airport in the Northeast — Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) — is considered "schedule controlled." This is a similar system with several minor differences.
Understanding slots: The little-understood government rule that allows airlines to dominate certain airports
The number of slots is finite, barring an unlikely move by the FAA to add more, meaning that airlines cannot add new flights at these airports without somehow acquiring new slots from another carrier.
The FAA enforces a "use it or lose it" rule aimed at preventing airlines from hoarding slots without using them — a tactic that would essentially shoulder out the competition.
As part of that rule, airlines must use each slot at least 80% of the time. Otherwise, the FAA can revoke the slot and give it to another airline.
Because of the 80% rule, airlines typically make full use of their slots, occasionally leasing them to other airlines if they can't find a valuable use for them. During slow periods or market changes, airlines have been known to operate unprofitable or unnecessary flights to avoid losing slots they expect they might need at a later point. This practice is sometimes referred to as "squatting" on slots.
Stretch your legs: The world's longest nonstop flights
Under the slot waiver, airlines can return up to 10% of their slots without losing them.
Even with the waiver, unusually frequent severe weather this summer has thrown airline operations into disarray on several occasions, with flight delays becoming more common and passengers facing extended delays and difficulty rebooking canceled flights.
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