The U.S. Department of Transportation said Friday it would reassign 16 slots formerly held by Southwest Airlines in a move that could bring more flights and lower fares to Newark Airport.
The slots in question were in the peak hours of 7 a.m. to 8:59 a.m., and from 1:30 p.m. to 9:59 p.m. The Transportation Department said it wanted low-cost carriers or ultra-low-cost carriers to apply.
“This decision to open up access at Newark means lower fares and more choices for the traveling public,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
The agency said it would consider applications for some of the slots if no airline meets the criteria for all 16.
Rep. Donald Payne Jr., a member of the House Transportation Committee, said the announcement was “great for customers and the airport.”
“It will create more affordable flights for New Jersey passengers and allow more tourists to visit Newark from across the country,” said Payne, D-10th Dist. “This new activity could create jobs and economic opportunities in Newark and across northern New Jersey. In addition, it could relieve congestion issues that have become a major issue at Newark Liberty Airport.”
Friday’s announcement was a response to a May 2021 U.S. Court of Appeals decision throwing out the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to retire the slots rather than reallocate them after Southwest moved from Newark to LaGuardia Airport in 2019.
Spirit Airlines had brought the suit after it was denied the slots, charging that the FAA did not consider the effect on competition when it retired them.
Southwest gained the slots in 2010 as a condition of the merger between United and Continental Airlines in order to maintain competition at Newark.
Last year, United carried 61% of the passengers arriving or departing from Newark Airport, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Then came JetBlue, American and Spirit.
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Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @JDSalant.
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