Bush Sets Plan to Ease Holiday Air Delays
By MATTHEW L. WALD
The New York Times
Published: November 15, 2007
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 — Airlines will make fuller use of military airspace over the Thanksgiving travel period, under a plan to be announced today by President Bush, in a highly visible effort to address the issue of delays.
Mr. Bush, involving the White House in air traffic at an unusually detailed level, is expected to describe a plan under which the Federal Aviation Administration will be able to reach agreement days in advance with the Defense Department for areas where the Air National Guard and the Air Force conduct exercises off the Atlantic coast.
For years the practice has been for the F.A.A. to request use of the space on a same-day basis, when weather or traffic conditions made that advantageous. But for the Thanksgiving period, the Defense Department will agree to scheduled use of those areas in advance, according to government officials.
Mr. Bush is also expected to say that the F.A.A. will take “common sense” steps over the Thanksgiving holiday to improve the flow of traffic, including make sure that air traffic facilities are fully staffed. It was not immediately clear how this differed from normal practice.
The other anticipated steps are expected to take months or years. For example, the President is expected to announce proposed new rules that would enable passengers to get a more accurate picture of delays. Department of Transportation statistics would be changed to reflect delays when airplanes push back from the gate on time but sit on the tarmac. In addition, flights that are canceled would be figured into the delay statistics. At present, a plane whose flight is canceled before push-back does not show up in the statistics.
Under another proposed rule, airlines could be penalized for an “unfair and deceptive” practice if they published schedules that airplanes missed by more than 15 minutes, more than 70 percent of the time.
The administration will also push forward with a proposal announced earlier to raise the compensation for passengers who are “bumped.” And another proposed rule would require the airlines to “incorporate legally binding contingency plans for tarmac delays.” The plans would include steps like guaranteeing food, water, bathrooms and medical attention.
On Sept. 27 the President summoned the Secretary of Transportation to the Oval office for talks about easing air traffic delays. One result was to convene meetings at the Transportation Department with the airlines, to try to pare flight schedules at Kennedy International Airport. Those negotiations are continuing, with the government threatening mandatory flight controls if no agreement is reached by the end of the year.
By MATTHEW L. WALD
The New York Times
Published: November 15, 2007
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 — Airlines will make fuller use of military airspace over the Thanksgiving travel period, under a plan to be announced today by President Bush, in a highly visible effort to address the issue of delays.
Mr. Bush, involving the White House in air traffic at an unusually detailed level, is expected to describe a plan under which the Federal Aviation Administration will be able to reach agreement days in advance with the Defense Department for areas where the Air National Guard and the Air Force conduct exercises off the Atlantic coast.
For years the practice has been for the F.A.A. to request use of the space on a same-day basis, when weather or traffic conditions made that advantageous. But for the Thanksgiving period, the Defense Department will agree to scheduled use of those areas in advance, according to government officials.
Mr. Bush is also expected to say that the F.A.A. will take “common sense” steps over the Thanksgiving holiday to improve the flow of traffic, including make sure that air traffic facilities are fully staffed. It was not immediately clear how this differed from normal practice.
The other anticipated steps are expected to take months or years. For example, the President is expected to announce proposed new rules that would enable passengers to get a more accurate picture of delays. Department of Transportation statistics would be changed to reflect delays when airplanes push back from the gate on time but sit on the tarmac. In addition, flights that are canceled would be figured into the delay statistics. At present, a plane whose flight is canceled before push-back does not show up in the statistics.
Under another proposed rule, airlines could be penalized for an “unfair and deceptive” practice if they published schedules that airplanes missed by more than 15 minutes, more than 70 percent of the time.
The administration will also push forward with a proposal announced earlier to raise the compensation for passengers who are “bumped.” And another proposed rule would require the airlines to “incorporate legally binding contingency plans for tarmac delays.” The plans would include steps like guaranteeing food, water, bathrooms and medical attention.
On Sept. 27 the President summoned the Secretary of Transportation to the Oval office for talks about easing air traffic delays. One result was to convene meetings at the Transportation Department with the airlines, to try to pare flight schedules at Kennedy International Airport. Those negotiations are continuing, with the government threatening mandatory flight controls if no agreement is reached by the end of the year.