Washington - The amount of flights landing at Newark Liberty International Airport with dangerously low amounts of fuel has skyrocketed this year, spurring U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to urge the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the situation.

WABC News reported last night that, in what could be an attempt by airlines to save money, 73 flights over a six month period this year were forced to land with the minimum amount of fuel permitted, compared to only five flights landing under such conditions over a similar period in 2005. Furthermore, 10 planes have been forced to land under "emergency" fuel conditions this year.

Sen. Menendez today urged Acting FAA Administrator Robert Sturgell to quickly initiate an investigation into the matter and to issue interim fueling rules to ensure a greater margin for error. Text of the letter can be found here: http://menendez.senate.gov/pdf/110707lettertoFAA.pdf.

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