FAA Head Says LaGuardia Slots From Defunct Spirit Aviation Should Go to Low-Cost Carrier or Be Retired

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said coveted slots at New York’s LaGuardia Airport once held by defunct Spirit Aviation should go to a low-cost carrier or be retired. The statement addresses the future use of takeoff and landing authorizations that became available after Spirit Aviation stopped operations.

The slots are considered valuable because LaGuardia operates under strict capacity limits set by federal rules.

Federal regulations govern how airlines obtain and transfer slots at constrained airports. The FAA oversees the process and can direct how unused slots are reassigned. The agency head’s position favors either awarding the slots to another low-cost operator or permanently retiring them from use.

No timeline for a final decision was provided in the statement. Airlines seeking access to LaGuardia have historically competed for limited slots through applications and regulatory reviews.