Want to Fix New York Air Congestion? Shut Down LaGuardia

[Matt Molnar]

An interesting theory from the NY Times Freakonomics blog.

Basically, JFK, EWR and LGA all get in the way of each other, which requires needlessly complicated approach routes which add time to flights. If one of the airports were eliminated, there would be a lot more room to navigate. Since LGA handles a lot less traffic than the other two, it would be the most sensible one to close.

Of course this will probably never happen...JFK and EWR would have to build new runways to pick up the slack, and those who enjoy the comparitively easy access to LGA from Manhattan would be furious. But it's worth a thought.

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2 ... more-11359 (http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/want-to-fix-new-york-air-congestion-shut-down-laguardia/#more-11359)

[T-Bird76]

The issue isn't having the airports as close to each other as they are the issue is the FAA's refusal to move into the 21st century and improve its systems. Both JFK and EWR do not have the space for new runways and the fight to take over the land next to the airports would drag on for years and years.

[wunaladreamin]

The issue isn't having the airports as close to each other as they are the issue is the FAA's refusal to move into the 21st century and improve its systems. Both JFK and EWR do not have the space for new runways and the fight to take over the land next to the airports would drag on for years and years.
Indeed. Add to that, SWF is too far out of the way to pick up any of the slack.

[moose135]

The best part about the article is the extensive research he did to develop his plan - a discussion with a random off-duty pilot he met while waiting for a flight at LGA. :roll:

[lijk604]

The best part about the article is the extensive research he did to develop his plan - a discussion with a random off-duty pilot he met while waiting for a flight at LGA. :roll:

But Moose...that's journalism today. Everytime there is an aircraft "situation" that CNN, FOX, etc...has to cover. They grab an "expert" for their show...who is usually a private pilot who has no clue about large aircraft and their systems. But he was the first to pickup the phone, so he's is today's "expert of the day."