Airline Slot Exchange Paves Way for Delta’s $117 Million Investment in LaGuardia Airport
Congressman Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), a chief deputy whip in the Democratic leadership of the House of Representatives, applauded the revised agreement reached today between Delta Airlines and US Airways to transfer takeoff and landing slots between LaGuardia and Washington Reagan National Airports. This agreement paves the way for Delta to move forward with its $117 million planned investment to build a new terminal at LaGuardia Airport, generating thousands of new jobs in Queens and increasing economic activity in and around the airport.
“This deal is a win-win for New York’s 7th Congressional District. Not only will this deal improve air service and reduce noise pollution, it will also create thousands of new jobs for Queens,” said Congressman Crowley. “In today’s economic climate, we should do all we can to encourage private sector employers, such as Delta, to create jobs.”
Under the agreement, Delta airlines would operate an additional 110 slots at LaGuardia Airport, and would give up some of its slots at Washington Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. Subsequently, the airline would begin a multi-million dollar construction program at LaGuardia to connect the existing Delta and US Airways terminals. An estimated 6,000 new jobs would be created as a result of this agreement, including construction, airport operational and tourism-related jobs. Additionally, Delta would phase out use of older, loud turbo-prop planes for quieter jets – resulting in less air noise polluting the communities around the airport.
Since 2009, Crowley has led efforts in support of a deal, including spearheading a bipartisan letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that encouraged the department to quickly approve the transfer of slots.
