How are Bush's new auction slots at New York airports supposed to decrease air traffic?

Question

I don't understand the theory behind how they will work, or what exactly they are auctioning off.

Answer 1

Well if Bush is involved it will be one mighty s***w up anyway, like everything else that ex alcoholic, draft dodging, war mongering, born again Jesus Freak has touched!

Answer 2

It's all explained here:

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/Amer...

Answer 3

I'd be surprised if Bush even knows about it. I doubt that any president  has the time to get involved with something as mundane as slot auctions. This was more likely decided by a bureaucrat at the FAA. (This is the first and last time that anyone will ever here me defend George Bush!)

A "slot" is simply permission to have a flight depart or land at a particular time (usually a 30-minute interval.) Certain airports are "slot controlled" because of congestion. At these airports, airlines can't just decide to schedule flights anytime that they want. They have to schedule them when slots are available. This is because airlines, when left on their own, frequently schedule more flights at one time than the runways and air traffic control system can handle.

Some people feel that slot auctions can benefit competition by allowing new airlines to begin service. Continental, for example, dominates Newark. A slot auction can hypothetically allow a different airline to begin service which would give consumers a new choice and potentially lower fares.

Opponents say that the largest carriers can outbid everyone, so they won't help. Plus, the cost of buying slots will be passed on to travelers in the form of higher prices.

What will slot auctions do to reduce congestion? Probably nothing. Only reducing the number of slots will do that.