With the cost of jet fuel in some places at $175 per barrel, the airline industry is calling on Congress to cut delays by increasing the capacity of the much-criticized air traffic control system in this country.

“With our fuel bill up $20 billion since last year to a total of almost $62 billion, it is easy to understand why the airlines are so intent on streamlining our nation’s air traffic management system to eliminate as much delay as possible,” testified John M. Meenan, Executive Vice President and COO of the Air Transport Association, before the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. “When it comes to fuel, eliminating unnecessary fuel burn caused by an outdated air traffic management system is our top priority.”

While insisting that it is making moves to improve ATC, the government is focusing on another avenue to cut congestion in busy New York City airspace. It’s advocating “congestion pricing” and take-off and landing slot auctions as ways to ease delays. That’s the plan of the Department of Transportation.

The airlines don’t think much of it.

Meenan contends: “DOT seems intent on leaving a legacy of failed, but extremely costly, experiments that do nothing to reduce congestion and flight delays in New York or anywhere else.”

Cheapflights’ observation: American Eagle has announced dramatic flight frequency cuts at close-in, chronically congested New York LaGuardia. This is because of the cost of fuel, and the fact that Eagle flights (they’re not alone) are so often delayed. As airlines continue to pare their schedules during the fourth quarter of this year due to escalating fuel costs, there could be at least a temporary reprieve in Big Apple airspace. Absent really bad weather, delays shouldn’t be quite as daunting this December.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler