Opportunity
Federal Register #2026-12593
FAA Slot Usage Waiver for DCA, JFK, and LGA Due to Staffing Shortages
Buyer
Department of Transportation / Federal Aviation Administration
Posted
June 23, 2026
Identifier
2026-12593
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), part of the Department of Transportation, is extending a limited waiver of slot usage requirements at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) due to ongoing air traffic controller staffing shortages at the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (N90) facility. - Government Buyer: - Department of Transportation - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - Slot Administration Office, System Operations Services - Scope of Relief: - Limited waiver of slot usage requirements for air carriers at DCA, JFK, and LGA - Carriers may return up to 10% of their slots at each airport without penalty - Applies to Winter 2026/2027 and Summer 2027 scheduling seasons - Purpose and Requirements: - Addresses persistent staffing shortages at N90 impacting New York City airspace - Aims to reduce delays and cancellations, and improve operational stability - Carriers must return slots by specified deadlines to be eligible for relief - FAA expects carriers to up-gauge aircraft and maintain regional airport connections to minimize consumer impact - No OEMs, vendors, or products are being procured; this is an operational policy notice for airlines
Description
This notice from the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration extends staffing-related relief measures at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport until October 30, 2027. The relief involves a limited waiver of the slot usage requirements to accommodate ongoing air traffic controller staffing shortages at the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control facility (N90). The waiver allows carriers to reduce operations without penalties for non-use of slots during the Winter 2026/2027 and Summer 2027 scheduling seasons to mitigate delays and cancellations caused by staffing constraints.