Air controllers fear delays under new runway rules

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Originally published Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Air controllers fear delays under new runway rules

Officials hope order requiring extra space between aircraft before takeoff will have minimal impact at LAX.
By Doug Irving
DAILY BREEZE

Air traffic controllers expect significant flight delays at some airports in the coming weeks as a federal order to leave more space between aircraft goes into effect.

The new directive was prompted in part by a close call last month between passenger airplanes on the runway at Los Angeles International Airport. That incident, and others like it, drove home a long-standing concern among federal regulators that fully loaded planes could collide on the ground.

The new federal rule would ensure that aircraft lining up for takeoff wait until their runway is entirely clear before they taxi into position. Controllers believe it will interrupt the flow of traffic and greatly slow operations at some airports.

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The Federal Aviation Administration doesn't expect much disruption, especially because the airports with the most traffic will qualify for waivers. But those airports will still have to document how they intend to keep aircraft safely apart as they cycle quickly onto the runway.

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