A federal appeals panel yesterday grounded a Federal Aviation Administration plan to make airlines bid for departure and arrival time slots at the metro area’s three major airports.
The order, handed down by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, said the judges needed more time to review the proposal, aimed at easing congestion and raising money for upgrades at Newark, JFK and La Guardia airports.
“Slot auctions will cause chaos in the skies and on the ground, and must not be bum-rushed through by a lame-duck administration,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer.
He said he hopes the next administration crafts a “new, workable plan.”