Airlines seek FAA extension of New York minimum flight requirements cuts -- letter

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Major airlines are asking the Biden administration to extend cuts to minimum flight requirements at congested New York City-area airports through October 2025, citing air traffic controller shortages, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

Under minimum flight requirements, airlines can lose their takeoff and landing slots at congested airports if they do not use them at least 80% of the time. The waiver allows airlines to not fly some flights and still retain slots. U.S. regulators in September extended those cuts through October 2024.

(Reporting by David Shepardson)