US: FAA eases 8-year flight caps at New Jersey's Newark Airport

Regulators eased a cap on flights at Newark Liberty International Airport, allowing carriers to apply for new service for the first time since heavy delays forced the US government to limit operations there in 2008. The FAA will consider allowing additional flights at the New Jersey airport as long as they don’t exceed capacity, according to an order posted online Friday. “This change will improve access to some of the most in-demand airspace in the country,” FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said. The FAA stopped short of fully lifting controls at Newark, saying high demand for flights into the New York region could once again trigger a spike in delays if not carefully managed. Flight caps will remain in place at New York’s LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International airports, the agency said. The FAA action, which takes affect Oct. 30, “will mean more efficient use of scarce airfield capacity at Newark,” according to a statement by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “This action will help travelers by increasing competition and choices at Newark Liberty by allowing more flights by different airlines, thereby helping to reduce air fares.” It was unclear how big an impact the FAA order would have on Newark’s operations, said Brian Campbell, a consultant specializing in scheduling at Campbell-Hill Aviation Group. “I don’t think there’s a lot to play with before serious delay problems would return,” he said.<br/>