When your plane departs on time it makes your cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, or cheap vacation packages all the sweeter. Now JFK airport is taking an entirely new approach to cutting flight delays, which if it continues to be successful, may be emulated by large airports across the U.S.
Earlier this year, JFK tested a new jet queuing system that was originally designed to take pressure off the airport while its main runway was closed for repairs. It has been so successful that it is being continued, according to Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport.
The departure management system which until recently had only been implemented by the airport during winter storms and during the temporary closing of a runway, will continue to be used until the end of the year at one of the most hectic air traffic choke points in America.
Previously, planes at JFK formed a taxi line when ready to depart whereby planes got in line on a first-come first-served basis. During this new trial, planes follow a reservation system and are assigned a departure time window. Only eight to 12 planes are allowed to be in line for takeoff from any given runway at any time during peak travel hours. This has prevented planes from being stranded in lengthy runway lines.
Many experts were pleasantly surprised that that there were only minimal flight delays during the recent closure of JFKs longest runway. The Port Authority points to the new departure management system as playing a key role in minimizing delays during a time when dramatically more pressure was placed on the two remaining runways. This new system also is being given credit for reducing airlines fuel costs and limiting pollution.
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