Airport Check-in: LaGuardia trying to reduce delays
— -- WHAT'S NEW
• Federal aviation authorities have proposed lowering the cap on flights at New York LaGuardia from 75 to 71 per hour in an effort to reduce congestion.
LaGuardia is the USA's most delay-prone major airport, according to Department of Transportation data. The voluntary cap requires participation of the top airlines at the airport — Delta, American and US Airways — and could start in April. Newark Liberty and JFK have similar caps.
• San Francisco International plans to install kiosks where travelers can buy carbon offsets. The program, scheduled to start in the spring, will allow travelers to pay a voluntary fee to "cancel out" the carbon emissions from their flights. Collected funds are invested in environmental projects.
SFO will initially invest $163,000 for the program, in partnership with local carbon offset seller 3Degrees. Denver International canceled plans for a similar program earlier this year due to lack of interest from vendors.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International has received approval from federal aviation officials to lengthen a runway on the south side of the fast-growing airport, a proposal debated and studied since the 1980s.
The extension, which could be completed by 2012, would create a second major runway and, according to the airport, help alleviate delays that have grown along with passenger traffic.
The airport currently has three runways: a 9,000-foot runway on the north side for commercial jets, a 5,276-foot runway on the south side for small aircraft and a diagonal runway used during windy conditions. The south runway would be lengthened to 8,000 feet with an elevated extension that would stretch over a freeway tunnel and freight rail line.
The Federal Aviation Administration has named Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood as one of several airports that need immediate expansion, along with New York LaGuardia, Newark and Chicago O'Hare.
The project faces opposition from local residents who are worried about noise and pollution.
• Nashville International's longest runway has reopened after nine months of reconstruction.
The crosswind runway, used mostly for larger aircraft and nighttime operations, will help reduce the number of flights that had been forced to circle overhead during a series of construction projects, the airport said in a statement. It was closed in March for rebuilding of the eastern portion of the runway and taxiways. Another runway was also closed earlier this year for similar renovation, but re-opened in November. All four runways are now open.
• Syracuse Hancock International has prepared plans for a $63 million expansion, Mayor Matthew Driscoll told local newspaper The Post-Standard. The city's proposal calls for rebuilding the center of the main terminal, adding 147,000 square feet to connect the two concourses and consolidating two security screening areas, according to Driscoll.
Green initiatives are also envisioned, including solar panels for energy and water heating.
ROUTE NEWS
Los Angeles to Australia
• Delta says it will start daily non-stop service between Los Angeles and Sydney starting July 1. The airline, which recently completed its merger with Northwest, will also begin three weekly non-stop flights between LAX and Sao Paulo, Brazil, beginning May 21.
• V Australia, started by British billionaire Richard Branson, will begin three weekly non-stop flights between LAX and Sydney in February. LAX will then have four airlines flying to Sydney, which could usher in lower fares. Qantas and United also fly to Australia.
Every Monday, we report on the latest news in airports across the USA. See something noteworthy in your travels? E-mail your suggestions to ryu@usatoday.com.