The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently issued a notice seeking a low-cost or ultra-low cost carrier to operate 16 peak afternoon and evening runway slots at Newark-Liberty International Airport.
The notice is in response to President Joe Biden’s executive order instructing federal agencies to take action to lower prices for families, increase wages for workers, and promote innovation and faster economic growth.
The Federal Aviation Administration uses runway slots to limit scheduled air traffic at certain airports near capacity. Having a low- or ultra-low cost airline utilize the limited number of slots will ensure competition among all air carriers at the airport.
“Opening up more slots at Newark to lower cost carriers will provide air travelers with more choices and lower prices,” Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg said. “DOT’s action today is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s broader effort to create a more competitive economy that benefits the American consumer.”
Comments on the proposed process are due this week.
USDOT also recently released a report outlining the failure of airlines to provide timely refunds for flights cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the steps the department took to address consumer complaints.
Complaints jumped nearly 600 percent in 2020 from the previous year.