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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 13733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05191]

[[Page 13733]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Order Limiting Scheduled Operations at John F. Kennedy 
International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty 
International Airport; High Density Rule at Reagan National Airport

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT

ACTION: Notice of limited waiver of the slot usage requirement.

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SUMMARY: This action announces a limited waiver of the requirements to 
use slots at Washington's Reagan National Airport and Operating 
Authorizations (slots) at John F. Kennedy International Airport, 
LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport. This 
policy is effective on selected dates from January 5, 2014, through 
March 3, 2014.

DATES: Effective Date: March 6, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lorelei Peter, Senior Attorney, 
Regulations Division, AGC-200, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenues SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone number 202-
267-3134.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Recent weather in the East Coast has severely disrupted aviation 
and other modes of transportation. Multiple storms have resulted in 
substantial amounts of snow and ice in widespread areas and resulted in 
airport closures, reduced airport capacity due to snow removal from 
runways and taxiways, and aircraft deicing programs. Carriers responded 
by cancelling flights and FAA used traffic management programs as 
needed to reroute traffic and utilize available airspace and airport 
capacity. Carriers instituted network operational recovery plans during 
this time including proactive flight cancellations in advance of the 
most severe weather to position aircraft and crews needed to resume 
scheduled operations.
    The disruption to the National Airspace System caused by snowstorms 
and adverse weather forced the cancellation of many flights as carriers 
made decisions based on safety and other operational criteria. However, 
the flight disruptions were not limited to the slot controlled 
airports. Operations at other airports were likewise impacted, 
including severe winter weather events in the mid-west and southern 
areas of the U.S. Recovery of normal operations took several days after 
the initial storms and was exacerbated by subsequent snow storms and 
other adverse conditions.
    Under the FAA's High Density Rule at Washington's Reagan National 
Airport and orders limiting scheduled operations at the Kennedy 
International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty 
International Airport, slots must be used at least 80 percent of the 
time. Slots not meeting the minimum usage rules will be withdrawn or 
not receive historic precedence for the following scheduling season, 
depending on the airport. The FAA may grant a waiver from the minimum 
usage requirements for highly unusual and unpredictable conditions that 
are beyond the control of the carrier and affect carrier operations for 
a period of five consecutive days or more.
    American Airlines, Inc., Delta Air Lines, Inc., United Airlines, 
Inc., and US Airways, Inc. individually requested waivers from the 
minimum slot usage rules at the airports for January 5, 6, 7, 21, and 
22 and February 3, 4, 5, 12, 13 and 14. Each carrier stated there was 
significant disruption to its planned scheduled due to weather on those 
days. The carriers indicated that they expected to meet the minimum 
usage requirement and that the higher than normal level of flight 
cancellations was highly unusual and beyond their control. Other 
carriers at the airports have advised the FAA that they intend to seek 
similar relief for some or all of the same dates.

Statement of Policy

    The FAA has determined that the facts described above met the 
criteria for a limited waiver of the minimum slot usage requirement. 
The operational disruptions impacted many carriers and the FAA has 
determined that a general waiver of the usage policy is warranted in 
these circumstances rather than individual carrier relief. The FAA will 
treat as used, any slot or Operating Authorization held by a carrier on 
January 5, 6, 7, 21, and 22, 2014; February 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, and 14, 
2014; and March 2 and 3, 2014. The FAA does not intend to routinely 
grant general waivers to the usage requirements. Rules allow for up to 
20 percent nonuse, including planned and unplanned cancellations. This 
is expected to accommodate routine weather and other cancellations 
under all but the most unusual circumstances.

    Issued in Washington, DC on March 6, 2014.
Mark Bury,
Assistant Chief Counsel for International Law, Legislation and 
Regulations Division.
[FR Doc. 2014-05191 Filed 3-6-14; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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