Washington - This morning, President Bush announced air traffic modifications for the days around Thanksgiving and Christmas. The president also touted his administration's plan to auction off flight slots at the three major New York City area airports as a way to reduce delays.

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez has consistently pushed the Bush administration to take action to systemically address flight delays, particularly in the nation's most congested airspace around New York City. He has placed a hold on the nominee for Federal Aviation Administration chief over flight delays and a number of other issues (http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=292402). He has also strongly opposed the airport slot auctions plan over its potential to significantly raise airfares for New Jerseyans (http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=304397).

Senator Menendez released the following statement in response to President Bush's announcement:

"While this a welcome move that will hopefully bring at least a bit of relief around the holidays, millions of Americans who have flown since President Bush implemented the previous version of this temporary plan can tell you that flight delays are still persistent, widespread and maddening all year long. The Bush administration will leave office having never addressed the bigger issues clogging up our air traffic system, instead resorting to stopgaps and baby steps. If they wanted to systematically deal with flight delays, they would make sure there are enough experienced air traffic controllers on the job and would help Congress bring the air traffic control system into the 21st Century.

"I am also strongly opposed to the president's insistence on proceeding with an illegal plan to auction off flight slots at the major New York City-area airports. It equates to levying an additional tax on people in our area for where they live and for when they want to fly. Pricing our region's middle-class families out of flying at the best times is unfair and is particularly absurd in these economic times."

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