Budget Airline Will Get Space At Newark Airport, Feds Announce

Newark NJ

16 September, 2021

3:51 PM

Description

NEWARK, NJ — In a move that officials say will give travelers at Newark Liberty International Airport more choices and lower prices, federal authorities are awarding more than a dozen slots at the busy airport to a budget airline. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced it will give rights for several afternoon and evening flights in Newark to a low-cost carrier. The takeoff and landing rights were previously used by Southwest Airlines, which pulled out of the airport in 2019, NBC New York reported. See related article: Southwest Ending Flights From Newark, Will Stay At LaGuardia The administration did not identify the company it plans to award the 16 slots to, Reuters reported. The Federal Aviation Administration estimated that awarding the 16 slots will increase delays at the airport by 5.9 percent, or by an average of 1.2 minutes per operation throughout the day, Reuters reported. But according to some officials, it's worth the tradeoff. "Opening up more slots at Newark to lower-cost carriers will provide air travelers with more choices and lower prices," Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg said. United Airlines, which controls the majority of the slots at the airport, was required to give 36 slots to a competitor when it merged with Continental Airlines. Those were picked up by Southwest, which operated in Newark for nearly a decade before leaving, Paxex.aero reported. See related article: Spirit Notches Win In Fight For Slots At Newark AirportSee related article: $11 Fries At Newark Airport Are 'Price Gouging,' Congressman SaysSee related article: Are Self-Boarding 'E-Gates' The Future Of Newark Airport? Send local news tips and correction requests to [email protected] Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don't forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.