GA and Regionals Affected by La Guardia Plan

General aviation operators at New York La Guardia Airport who are waiting eagerly for the expiration next January 1 of the reservation and slot program under the high-density rule shouldn't hold their breath. On Tuesday the FAA issued a proposal that would continue the slot-reservation system for general aviation operations (six slots are available per day between 6:30 a.m. and 10 p.m.). Also under the proposal an airline's annual "average seat size" would have to meet or exceed the airport-wide target of between 105 and 122 seats at La Guardia or the FAA would withdraw operating authorization from the carrier. The proposal would continue to limit the number of scheduled flights to 75 per hour. According to the FAA, the proposed rule would allow "up to four million more people a year to fly into and out of La Guardia without increasing delays."