Consumer Alert:
Attorney General James Urges Biden Administration to Take Steps to Increase Competition at Airports, Lower Costs for Consumers

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement after she sent letters to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration, calling on the federal agencies to implement rules that would more fully utilize gate “slots” at airports in New York in an effort to increase the ability for more airlines to compete for customers:

“The DOT and the FAA must take action to increase competition at airports by issuing new rules to address the slot mismanagement we’ve seen for far too long. Our nation’s airports and, subsequently, its passengers, are being held captive by an antiquated system that benefits those largest airlines that want to squeeze out competition, reduce choices, and increase prices for flyers. Airport slots must be more fully utilized and put into the hands of airlines prepared to compete aggressively. Doing so will provide lower-cost airlines with additional pathways to grow and bring greater competition to the region. Now is the time to act as so many Americans return to the skies but are seeing sky-high ticket prices.

“At the same time, we are glad that the U.S. Department of Justice and several states today took action to address concerns about competition in the market. We continue to evaluate our options and any appropriate steps to take in the future to protect New York consumers.”