STATEMENT
WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2007 - The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization representing leading U.S. airlines, today responded to the request for an airline scheduling meeting with a statement emphasizing the organization’s commitment to working collaboratively with the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and other industry stakeholders to address scheduling issues at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and, more broadly, airspace congestion in the Northeast corridor.
“ATA member airlines are fully committed to working closely with all stakeholders to address the challenges associated with the growing demand for air travel in and out of the New York area,” said ATA President and CEO James C. May. “In the coming weeks, this will involve working collaboratively with the DOT, the FAA and the port authority to improve operational efficiency at the major New York metropolitan airports.
“To meet the strong demand for air service in the New York-New Jersey region, it also means accelerating the introduction of the capacity improvements associated with the New York airspace redesign program, and other short- and long-term capacity-enhancing solutions that include both commercial and corporate aviation,” said May. “No one believes that just posting a ‘No Vacancy’ sign at JFK is the right way forward.”
ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For additional information about the industry, visit www.airlines.org. For more information on next-generation air traffic control, visit www.smartskies.org.
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