81_FR_15837 81 FR 15780 - Orders Limiting Operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport

81 FR 15780 - Orders Limiting Operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 57 (March 24, 2016)

Page Range15780-15781
FR Document2016-06692

This action announces a limited waiver of the requirement to use Operating Authorizations (slots) at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport due to significant impacts of winter weather in January 2016. This policy is effective from January 22, 2016, through January 26, 2016. Carriers who seek to obtain a waiver must submit information on flight cancellations and the slots for which relief is requested.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15780-15781]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06692]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Orders Limiting Operations at John F. Kennedy International 
Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

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

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SUMMARY: This action announces a limited waiver of the requirement to 
use Operating Authorizations (slots) at John F. Kennedy International 
Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport 
due to significant impacts of winter weather in January 2016. This 
policy is effective from January 22, 2016, through January 26, 2016. 
Carriers who seek to obtain a waiver must submit information on flight 
cancellations and the slots for which relief is requested.

DATES: Effective Date: Effective upon publication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions concerning this Notice 
contact: Susan Pfingstler, System Operations Services, Air Traffic 
Organization, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-6462; email 
susan.pfingstler@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under the FAA's Orders limiting operations at John F. Kennedy 
International Airport (JFK), New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and 
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), slots must be used at least 
80 percent of the time.\1\ This usage requirement is expected to 
accommodate routine cancellations under all but the most unusual 
circumstances. 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 requirement in highly unusual and unpredictable 
conditions that are beyond the control of the carrier and affect 
carrier operations for five or more consecutive days at JFK, LGA, and 
EWR.
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    \1\ Operating Limitations at John F. Kennedy International 
Airport, 79 FR 16855 (March 26, 2014). Operating Limitations at New 
York LaGuardia Airport, 79 FR 17223 (March 26, 2014). Operating 
Limitation at Newark Liberty International Airport, 79 FR 16.859 
(March 26, 2014).
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    Recent weather on the East Coast severely disrupted aviation and 
other modes of transportation. A winter storm from January 22 to 
January 24, 2016, impacting the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, 
resulted in record snowfall levels in several locations, including the 
New York City area. The storm impacted a widespread area in the eastern 
U.S., including airports with regularly scheduled flights to or from 
the New York City area. The storm resulted in reduced airport capacity 
due to snow accumulation on runways and taxiways. Further, this storm 
covered a wide geographical area and impacted capacity and operations 
at outlying airports with service to EWR, JFK, and LGA.
    Carriers responded to the forecasted storm by proactively 
cancelling flights to avoid stranding passengers, to minimize the 
number of aircraft on the ground at airports affected by the storm, and 
to position aircraft and crews to implement network recovery plans and 
resume normal operations as soon as possible. Cumulative effects from 
the storm impacted operations for some carriers until January 26, 2016.
    FAA operational data (OPSNET) on the number of actual air carrier 
and air taxi operations at EWR, JFK, and LGA indicate flight 
cancellations began on January 22 and the impacts were most significant 
on Saturday, January 23 and Sunday, January 24. On January 22, about 20 
percent of EWR and LGA flights were cancelled compared to other Fridays 
in January while about ten percent of JFK flights were cancelled. On 
January 23, EWR had 18 air carrier and air taxi operations, JFK had 58 
and LGA had three. On January 24, EWR had 67 air carrier and air taxi 
operations, JFK had 447, and LGA had 107. On January 25 and 26, EWR had 
less than 60 percent of typical January traffic levels while snow 
removal efforts continued. All three airports were at typical operation 
levels by Wednesday, January 27. Consequently, some carriers have 
advised the FAA of plans to request a waiver of the minimum slot usage 
requirements due to the number of flight cancellations and the extent 
and duration of disruptions.

Statement of Policy

    The FAA has determined that the facts described above meet the 
criteria for a limited waiver of the minimum slot usage requirement. 
The winter storm caused cumulative effects with operational disruptions 
that impacted carriers at the New York City area slot controlled 
airports lasting five consecutive days. The FAA believes the impact of 
this storm on air travel constitutes unusual and unpredictable 
circumstances.
    The FAA has determined that adopting a policy setting forth 
conditions for a waiver of the usage policy during the January 22-26, 
2016, period is warranted in these circumstances. However, this waiver 
will apply only to flights that were scheduled to operate on one or 
more of the impacted days. A carrier seeking to obtain the relief 
consistent with this Notice is required to submit detailed information 
regarding scheduled flights, cancellations, and the associated slots at 
each airport for each day relief is requested, as discussed further in 
this Notice.
    As the FAA has stated previously, waivers to the usage requirements 
will not be granted routinely. Slot rules allow for up to 20 percent 
nonuse, including planned and unplanned cancellations. This is expected 
to accommodate weather and other cancellations or planned non-use of

[[Page 15781]]

slots under all but the most unusual circumstances. Carriers should 
plan schedules in order to meet the minimum usage requirement.
    Consistent with this Notice, the FAA will treat as used, any slot 
allocated to a carrier on January 22 through 26, 2016, for which there 
was a planned flight that was subsequently cancelled. A waiver will not 
apply to slots without a corresponding scheduled flight as the carrier 
should have already factored nonuse on those days into their usage 
plans. In order to obtain a waiver under this policy, a carrier must 
provide a list of the cancelled flights at each slot-controlled 
airport, including the reported slot identification number, operating 
carrier, flight number, date, scheduled time of operation, scheduled 
origin or destination airport, and the diversion airport, if 
applicable.
    Carriers must submit the detailed slot and flight information to 
the FAA Slot Administration Office by email to 7-awa-slotadmin@faa.gov. 
Carriers at LGA, which reported usage in mid-March, will have until 
April 8, 2016, to submit additional information to request a waiver 
under the terms of this Notice. At JFK and EWR, usage reports for the 
winter 2015-2016 scheduling season are due by April 25, 2016. Carriers 
at JFK and EWR must request a waiver request under this Notice by the 
due date of the reports. The FAA will review the submission to 
determine if it meets the terms of this limited waiver. Based on the 
submitted information, the FAA will respond to individual carriers via 
email confirming the slots that will be treated as used under this 
policy.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 21, 2016.
Lorelei Peter,
Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2016-06692 Filed 3-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

15780 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2016 / Notices (mail or email) by April 18, 2016, so that DATES: Effective Date: Effective upon resume normal operations as soon as the information can be made available publication. possible. Cumulative effects from the to COMSTAC members for their review FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For storm impacted operations for some and consideration before the April 27– questions concerning this Notice carriers until January 26, 2016. 28, 2016 meeting. Written statements FAA operational data (OPSNET) on contact: Susan Pfingstler, System should be supplied in the following the number of actual air carrier and air Operations Services, Air Traffic formats: One hard copy with original taxi operations at EWR, JFK, and LGA Organization, Federal Aviation signature and/or one electronic copy via indicate flight cancellations began on Administration, 600 Independence January 22 and the impacts were most email. Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; An agenda will be posted on the FAA significant on Saturday, January 23 and telephone (202) 267–6462; email Sunday, January 24. On January 22, Web site at www.faa.gov/go/ast. For susan.pfingstler@faa.gov. specific information concerning the about 20 percent of EWR and LGA SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: flights were cancelled compared to times and locations of the COMSTAC working group meetings, contact the Background other Fridays in January while about ten Contact Person listed below. percent of JFK flights were cancelled. Under the FAA’s Orders limiting On January 23, EWR had 18 air carrier Individuals who plan to attend and operations at John F. Kennedy need special assistance, such as sign and air taxi operations, JFK had 58 and International Airport (JFK), New York LGA had three. On January 24, EWR had language interpretation or other LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark reasonable accommodations, should 67 air carrier and air taxi operations, Liberty International Airport (EWR), JFK had 447, and LGA had 107. On inform the Contact Persons listed below slots must be used at least 80 percent of in advance of the meeting. January 25 and 26, EWR had less than the time.1 This usage requirement is 60 percent of typical January traffic FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: expected to accommodate routine levels while snow removal efforts Michael Beavin, telephone (202) 267– cancellations under all but the most continued. All three airports were at 9051; email Michael.beavin@faa.gov, unusual circumstances. Slots not typical operation levels by Wednesday, FAA Office of Commercial Space meeting the minimum usage rules will January 27. Consequently, some carriers Transportation, 800 Independence be withdrawn or not receive historic have advised the FAA of plans to Avenue SW., Room 331, Washington, precedence for the following scheduling request a waiver of the minimum slot DC 20591. season, depending on the airport. The usage requirements due to the number Complete information regarding FAA may grant a waiver from the of flight cancellations and the extent COMSTAC is available on the FAA Web minimum usage requirement in highly and duration of disruptions. site at: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_ unusual and unpredictable conditions org/headquarters_offices/ast/advisory_ that are beyond the control of the carrier Statement of Policy committee/. and affect carrier operations for five or The FAA has determined that the Issued in Washington, DC, March 18, 2016. more consecutive days at JFK, LGA, and facts described above meet the criteria EWR. for a limited waiver of the minimum George C. Nield, Recent weather on the East Coast slot usage requirement. The winter Associate Administrator for Commercial severely disrupted aviation and other storm caused cumulative effects with Space Transportation. modes of transportation. A winter storm operational disruptions that impacted [FR Doc. 2016–06690 Filed 3–23–16; 8:45 am] from January 22 to January 24, 2016, carriers at the New York City area slot BILLING CODE 4910–13–P controlled airports lasting five impacting the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, resulted in record consecutive days. The FAA believes the snowfall levels in several locations, impact of this storm on air travel DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION including the New York City area. The constitutes unusual and unpredictable Federal Aviation Administration storm impacted a widespread area in the circumstances. eastern U.S., including airports with The FAA has determined that Orders Limiting Operations at John F. regularly scheduled flights to or from adopting a policy setting forth Kennedy International Airport, the New York City area. The storm conditions for a waiver of the usage LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty resulted in reduced airport capacity due policy during the January 22–26, 2016, International Airport to snow accumulation on runways and period is warranted in these taxiways. Further, this storm covered a circumstances. However, this waiver AGENCY: Federal Aviation wide geographical area and impacted will apply only to flights that were Administration (FAA), DOT. capacity and operations at outlying scheduled to operate on one or more of ACTION: Notice of availability of limited airports with service to EWR, JFK, and the impacted days. A carrier seeking to waiver of the slot usage requirement. LGA. obtain the relief consistent with this Carriers responded to the forecasted Notice is required to submit detailed SUMMARY: This action announces a storm by proactively cancelling flights information regarding scheduled flights, limited waiver of the requirement to use to avoid stranding passengers, to cancellations, and the associated slots at Operating Authorizations (slots) at John minimize the number of aircraft on the each airport for each day relief is F. Kennedy International Airport, ground at airports affected by the storm, requested, as discussed further in this LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty Notice. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES and to position aircraft and crews to International Airport due to significant implement network recovery plans and As the FAA has stated previously, impacts of winter weather in January waivers to the usage requirements will 2016. This policy is effective from 1 Operating Limitations at John F. Kennedy not be granted routinely. Slot rules January 22, 2016, through January 26, International Airport, 79 FR 16855 (March 26, allow for up to 20 percent nonuse, 2016. Carriers who seek to obtain a 2014). Operating Limitations at New York including planned and unplanned LaGuardia Airport, 79 FR 17223 (March 26, 2014). waiver must submit information on Operating Limitation at Newark Liberty cancellations. This is expected to flight cancellations and the slots for International Airport, 79 FR 16.859 (March 26, accommodate weather and other which relief is requested. 2014). cancellations or planned non-use of VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:44 Mar 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2016 / Notices 15781 slots under all but the most unusual hereby announces that it is seeking an Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) circumstances. Carriers should plan extension of the following currently 493–6292) or Ms. Kimberly Toone, schedules in order to meet the approved information collection Information Collection Clearance minimum usage requirement. activities. On February 19, 2016, FRA Officer, Office of Information Consistent with this Notice, the FAA published in the Federal Register its Technology, RAD–20, Federal Railroad will treat as used, any slot allocated to request for Emergency Clearance for Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. a carrier on January 22 through 26, new Form FRA F 6180.167, Bridge SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 2016, for which there was a planned Inspection Report Public Version 20590 (telephone: (202) 493–6132). flight that was subsequently cancelled. Request Form. See 81 FR 8588. The (These telephone numbers are not toll- A waiver will not apply to slots without information collection activities free.) a corresponding scheduled flight as the associated with Form FRA F 6180.167 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: carrier should have already factored received a six-month emergency The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 nonuse on those days into their usage approval from OMB on February 25, (PRA), Public Law 104–13, sec. 2, 109 plans. In order to obtain a waiver under 2016. FRA seeks a regular clearance Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at this policy, a carrier must provide a list (extension of the current approval for 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), and its of the cancelled flights at each slot- three years) to continue this effort to implementing regulations, 5 CFR part controlled airport, including the provide a means for a State or a political 1320, require Federal agencies to reported slot identification number, subdivision of a State to obtain a public provide notice to the public for operating carrier, flight number, date, version of a bridge inspection report comment on information collection scheduled time of operation, scheduled generated by a railroad for a bridge activities before seeking approval for origin or destination airport, and the located within their respective reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 diversion airport, if applicable. jurisdiction. Before submitting these Carriers must submit the detailed slot U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), information collection requirements for 1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, and flight information to the FAA Slot clearance by the Office of Management Administration Office by email to FRA invites interested respondents to and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting comment on the following summary of 7-awa-slotadmin@faa.gov. Carriers at public comment on specific aspects of LGA, which reported usage in mid- proposed information collection the activities identified below. March, will have until April 8, 2016, to activities regarding (i) whether the DATES: Comments must be received no information collection activities are submit additional information to request later than May 23, 2016. a waiver under the terms of this Notice. necessary for FRA to properly execute ADDRESSES: Submit written comments its functions, including whether the At JFK and EWR, usage reports for the on any or all of the following proposed winter 2015–2016 scheduling season are activities will have practical utility; (ii) activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert the accuracy of FRA’s estimates of the due by April 25, 2016. Carriers at JFK Brogan, Information Collection and EWR must request a waiver request burden of the information collection Clearance Officer, Office of Railroad activities, including the validity of the under this Notice by the due date of the Safety, Regulatory Safety Analysis reports. The FAA will review the methodology and assumptions used to Division, RRS–21, Federal Railroad determine the estimates; (iii) ways for submission to determine if it meets the Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. terms of this limited waiver. Based on FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC clarity of the information being the submitted information, the FAA will 20590, or Ms. Kimberly Toone, respond to individual carriers via email collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to Information Collection Clearance minimize the burden of information confirming the slots that will be treated Officer, Office of Information as used under this policy. collection activities on the public by Technology, RAD–20, Federal Railroad automated, electronic, mechanical, or Issued in Washington, DC, on March 21, Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. other technological collection 2016. SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC techniques or other forms of information Lorelei Peter, 20590. Commenters requesting FRA to technology (e.g., permitting electronic Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulations. acknowledge receipt of their respective submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C. [FR Doc. 2016–06692 Filed 3–23–16; 8:45 am] comments must include a self-addressed 3506(c)(2)(A)(I)–(iv); 5 CFR BILLING CODE 4910–13–P stamped postcard stating, ‘‘Comments 1320.8(d)(1)(I)–(iv). FRA believes that on OMB control number 2130–0586.’’ soliciting public comment will promote Alternatively, comments may be its efforts to reduce the administrative DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493– and paperwork burdens associated with 6216 or (202) 493–6497, or via email to the collection of information mandated Federal Railroad Administration Mr. Brogan at Robert.Brogan@dot.gov, or by Federal regulations. In summary, [Docket No. FRA 2016–0002–N–8] to Ms. Toone at Kim.Toone@dot.gov. FRA reasons that comments received Please refer to the assigned OMB control will advance three objectives: (i) Reduce Proposed Agency Information number in any correspondence reporting burdens; (ii) ensure that it Collection Activities; Comment submitted. FRA will summarize organizes information collection Request comments received in response to this requirements in a ‘‘user friendly’’ format notice in a subsequent notice and to improve the use of such information; AGENCY: Federal Railroad include them in its information and (iii) accurately assess the resources asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Administration (FRA), Department of collection submission to OMB for expended to retrieve and produce Transportation. approval. information requested. See 44 U.S.C. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 3501. Mr. Robert Brogan, Information Below is a brief summary of the SUMMARY: In accordance with the Collection Clearance Officer, Regulatory currently approved information Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Safety Analysis Division, RRS–21, collection request that FRA will submit its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 for clearance by OMB as required under Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 25, the PRA: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:44 Mar 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00105 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1


Document Created: 2016-03-24 00:57:26
Document Modified: 2016-03-24 00:57:26
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of availability of limited waiver of the slot usage requirement.
ContactFor questions concerning this Notice contact: Susan Pfingstler, System Operations Services, Air Traffic Organization, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-6462; email [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 15780 
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