The U.S. Government Accountability Office in an opinion today said the Federal Aviation Administration does not have the legal authority to auction slots at airports.
FAA late last month suspended its controversial plan to auction slots at Newark Liberty International Airport amid a review sparked by growing uproar and legal pressure from industry groups
(BTNonline, Aug. 29). The Air Transport Association and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which led the legal charge against FAA's plan, promptly applauded GAO's stance today.
"We urge the FAA to put their focus and attention on increasing capacity and airspace redesign to make progress in actually reducing delays," said ATA president and CEO James May.