As capacity issues intensify at New York area airports, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is considering repealing a rule banning long distance flights out of LaGuardia Airport.
The so-called ‘perimeter rule’ has restricted airlines from flying from LaGuardia to cities that are more than 1,500 miles away for decades.
The reasoning behind it was to initially promote Newark Liberty and JFK airports as long haul hubs.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, discussions to scrap the ruling began last year with Delta Air Lines – which has 40% of traffic at LaGuardia – lobbying for the rule to be abolished.
The opening up of transcontinental flights to the west coast would appeal to all the major carriers at LaGuardia however the start of regular international flights at LaGuardia would be some time off as there is no federal border-clearance facility at the airport yet.
The WSJ report suggests that as landing slots at LaGuardia are also limited, any lucrative coast-to-coast flights would come at the expense of smaller city destinations.
"The mix of flights at La Guardia would change materially. Why would you have a 50-seat jet going to Charlottesville when that slot can be used for a 150-seat jet going to Seattle?" said aviation consultant Mike Boyd.
The Port Authority will look at how ending the rule would impact noise, ticket prices and operations at the region’s airports, in a study that could take several months.
