Key Points:

  • The FAA has extended the slot relief rules till at least October 26, 2024, due to the continued shortage of qualified air traffic controllers.

  • Airlines are permitted to leave up to 10% of their assigned slots unused at selected Northeast US airports to manage staffing bottlenecks at air traffic control centers.

  • United Airlines praises the FAA's decision, asserting that it will offer a "more reliable travel experience" for passengers while maintaining a strategy of utilizing larger aircraft on certain routes.

Airlines Given "Limited, Conditional Waiver" for Slot Usage Until Late 2024


WASHINGTON D.C. — Due to ongoing shortages of air traffic control staff, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prolonged the duration of slot relief measures at bustling Northeast US airports till at least 26 October 2024. This strategy, characterized as a "limited, conditional waiver of the minimum usage requirement," permits airlines to operate without facing penalties arising from the underuse of assigned slots. The FAA acknowledges the persistent difficulties in hiring qualified air traffic controllers, projecting that the problem will remain unresolved till the end of next year.

United Airlines welcomed the FAA's extension on 15 September, emphasizing its role in facilitating a "more reliable travel experience" for its clientele. The Chicago-based airline noted a reduction in its schedule by 10%, a strategy offset by deploying larger aircrafts, thus minimizing customer inconvenience.

Introduced initially in March, the slot relief aimed at mitigating the FAA's inability to staff its control centers sufficiently overseeing the hectic airspace in Northeast USA. Airlines operating from vital hubs, including Newark Liberty International and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports, were advised to leave up to 10% of allocated slots unused due to ATC staffing hitches.

"Working on a long-term solution to solve the chronic low levels of fully certified air traffic controllers" remains a priority, the regulator conveyed, citing the lack of enough certified controllers at the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (N90) to manage regular traffic volumes. This shortage has urged the agency to collaborate closely with the union NATCA to devise a sustainable solution.

The FAA hopes that the reduction in schedules will "improve the alignment between scheduled operations and actual operations," intending to minimize delays and make optimum use of airport resources. It encourages airlines to employ larger aircraft to accommodate more passengers, while ensuring ample ground crew availability and keeping passengers abreast of potential disruptions.

Air traffic restrictions usually compel airlines to utilize 80% of their allocated slots. However, the unprecedented drop in air traffic amid the global Covid-19 pandemic saw regulators worldwide relax these mandates, allowing airlines to retain slots without enduring long-term repercussions.

The FAA cited the "highly unusual and unpredictable condition" fostered by the staffing shortages and a spike in scheduled operations for the upcoming winter and summer seasons as the impetus behind the extended relief. It remains a crucial initiative to manage the current circumstances, exacerbated by meteorological challenges that plagued numerous airlines over the summer.