Regulatory Alert: DOT Requests Air Carrier Applications for DCA Slot Exemptions
June 24, 2024
On June 24, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released a notice requesting applications from eligible air carriers for 10 slot exemptions for service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) from any domestic airports within or beyond the 1,250-mile perimeter. DOT set July 8 as the deadline for carriers to submit applications and July 17 as the deadline for any stakeholders to submit comments on an application.
As part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which was signed into law on May 16, Congress authorized 10 new slot exemptions (or 5 round-trip flights) at DCA for service to domestic airports that are located either within or beyond the 1,250-mile perimeter. Eight of the exemptions (four round trips) are reserved for carriers qualifying as “non-limited incumbent carriers,” which includes American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. Two of the exemptions (one round trip) are reserved for “limited incumbent carriers,” which includes Alaska Airlines and Air Canada. Any one carrier is limited to receiving no more or less than two exemptions (one round trip).
There are two other notable takeaways from DOT’s notice:
• Commenting on Applications: Air carrier applications for DCA slot exemptions will be submitted and publicly available through Regulations.gov under Docket ID No. DOT-OST-2024-0065 (accessible here). Applications should be on the docket by July 8. If your airport, community, or anyone else wants to comment on an application, you can do so through Regulations.gov using the docket number.
• Timing of Decision: The FAA reauthorization bill requires DOT to issue the 10 DCA slot exemptions no later than July 15 (60 days from enactment). However, DOT will clearly not meet this deadline based on the schedule the department set for applications and comments. DOT’s notice does not indicate when the department is expected to announce its selections. However, we could reasonably assume it will occur in late July or August 2024.
