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If you've been stuck at an NYC airport waiting for a flight to depart or arrive, there may be a temporary solution, but will travelers appreciate the intended relief?

Federal officials say they will once again limit flights, drastically cut down on take-offs and landings and open up military express lanes for commercial air traffic over the Northeast. But New Yorkers won't be quieted. There are mixed reactions to these and other upcoming changes the FAA intends on implementing in their efforts to ease chronic nationwide air travel delays.

We've seen - or even worse - experienced it before; long lines and disrupted plans at our region's three major airports, including even Newark Liberty. Wednesday the government reacted, announcing fewer flights to go in and out of New York City airports at the busiest times.

"My son's flight was supposed to arrive here at 10:30. Now it's scheduled to arrive at 11:37," said Yolanda Goicoechea.

In the interest of addressing congestion, the FAA Wednesday announced a voluntary agreement with airlines to cap the number of inbound and outbound hourly flights at John F. Kennedy Airport. While caps have already been established at LaGuardia, negotiations are set to begin for their introduction to Newark's airports.

"I had hoped to be able to avoid caps but the truth is for the short term, for the next few years this is the solution that will provide some relief for travelers," said Transportation Secretary Mary Peters.

The FAA also announced a new "fanning out" flight pattern at Newark, which will create more flight lanes over the neighborhoods around the airport. This new proposed strategy has been met with criticism.

"That would be a problem. I think they have to take a new direction," said Carmen Cruz of Elizabeth.

To increase future capacity, the FAA intends to auction off flight slots to the highest bidding airline. The Port Authority, who operates the region's thee major airports, believes the auctioning off of flight slots will increase the restrictions in an already limited market for consumers.

"Implementing auctions will mean less choice, less flights, and a higher ticket price," said Port Authority spokesman Steve Sigmund.

Passengers have learned to build flight delays into their flight routine. But many say they're not so sure Federal officials have the right answer when it comes to cutting down the time they spend at the airport.

"There has got to be some answer, but I don't know if it's limiting the fights, because we won't be able to get out at all," said Newark resident Shannon Friend.

"It will be even more difficult, and they will - as I heard - be more expensive," said Goicoechea.

But the FAA remains confident, and has recently publicly announced its plans to appoint a czar to oversee the changes.

The question remains: will any of them save air travelers' time and money?



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