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Operating Limitations at Chicago O'Hare - Comments of The Air Carrier Association of America on Federal Aviation Administration's Order Limiting Scheduled Operations at O'Hare International Airport

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Operating Limitations at Chicago O'Hare International Airport

FAA-04-16944

August 31, 2004

Comments of The Air Carrier Association of America on Federal Aviation Administration's Order Limiting Scheduled Operations at O'Hare International Airport | Word

FAA must act in a way that not only reduces delays but does not foreclose entry and competition and does not block smaller carriers from competing. If the August 18 order is going to be continued beyond April 30, 2005, FAA should take the following steps:

1. Immediately initiate a process that will establish a revised agreement to control operations at O’Hare beyond April 30, 2005. This process should start by November 1, 2004. A new agreement must be reached by January 1, 2005.

2. Address increased use of regional jets. Some limitations must be placed on regional jet increases.

3. Effective May 1, 2005, increase the number of arrivals that a limited incumbent may operate to 12 within the restricted hours, and increase the number of arrivals that may be operated by a new entrant within the restricted hours to four.

4. If necessary, require United and American to reduce some of the approximately 130 arrivals they have added.

5. Establish a procedure that would allow all carriers at O’Hare to operate delay free operations regardless of whether the dominant carriers continue to add flights. This is necessary in the event that despite the United and American “flight reductions,” delays return. Limited incumbents should be allowed to designate up to 8 daily “delay free” arrivals that would not be subject to delays unless unusual conditions exist requiring the FAA to immediately and dramatically limit traffic.

O’Hare is an airport where travelers have limited low-fare options. The FAA needs to take steps to ensure that low-fare carriers can operate and expand at O’Hare. FAA may not allow dominant carriers at any airport close that airport to competition. By taking these steps, the FAA will address congestion problems while ensuring that competition will continue.

By: Edward Faberman, 202-639-7502, epfaberman@acaa1.com

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