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Editor: James T. Crouse
Profession: Aviation Accident Attorney

John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York is one of the busiest and most congested airport in the nation handling 100+ flights per hour during peak travel periods. The U. S. Department of Transportation has determined the airport could reliably handle 80 or 81 flights per hour and has asked the airlines to voluntarily cut back flights next summer or face a mandatory order to cutback. This is being done as an attempt to clear some of the congestion which would mean fewer flight delays, less chance of runway mishaps, and opposition from both airline and civilian business communities.

New York City claims a cap would hurt the tourism industry and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey claims a cap would be "bad for airports" forcing JFK to handle 10,000 fewer passengers a day - calling the cap "no solution at all". Then there is the Air Travelers Association which claims a cap would make a bad situation worse because airlines would have to raise prices, cut service to some cities, and offer a less convenient schedule for passengers. The groups opposing this plan prefer the FAA raises the capacity of JFK through other measures such as long-planned airspace redesign, bringing on better navigation and air traffic control systems.

A DOT spokesman stated the proposed scheduling reductions would in deed "limit competition, inflate ticket prices, and stifle consumer choices" but added that repeating the record-setting airline delays of the summer of 2007 is "simply not an option". DOT officials are soliciting ideas from airlines and aviation groups in search for a solution and there is a FAA group that meets regularly regarding this issue and is expected to make some recommendations by December.

Meanwhile International Air Transport Association forecasts in 2011 the air travel industry will handle 620 million more passengers than in 2006. During this time period, international passenger travel is expected to increase from 760 million to 980 million while domestic travel is expected to grow from 1.37 billion passengers to 1.77 billion. According to the director general and chief executive of the Geneva-based IATA, the livelihoods of 32 million people are dependent on the aviation industry - that's $3.5 trillion in economic activity.

When we look at our inadequate infrastructure and see no solid preparations/development occurring in anticipation for this future growth - let alone the crisis we're in now - how can we expect future demands to be met? Our safety is dangerously at risk and this risk will continue to grow until effective management moves into place to take responsibility and to take charge.