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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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


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                                                                                 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:


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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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