Turbulence over proposal to reduce JFK flights.

Byline: James Bernstein

Nov. 1--Airline passengers disgusted by delays at Kennedy Airport this past summer, when a third of all takeoffs and landings were late, can expect little improvement this Thanksgiving. The airport's two largest carriers -- JetBlue Airways Corp. and Delta Air Lines -- and others plan to schedule more flights.

The problems could grow worse next summer unless something dramatic is done, according to federal transportation officials, who have developed plans they say will ease Kennedy's delays, the nation's worst during the summer.

Though all parties agree action is needed, the federal Department of Transportation's plans to ease crowding at Kennedy by limiting flights have come up against stiff opposition from the Port Authority, consumer and business groups and aviation organizations, who say the proposed solutions will hurt business, cost jobs and raise airline fares.

Since 2004, flights at Kennedy have jumped 44 percent, mostly because of rapid expansions by JetBlue and Delta. More than 40 percent of flights to Kennedy were either delayed or canceled last year, according to federal statistics.

Matters can't remain as they are, D.J. Gribben, the transportation department's general counsel, said in an interview.

"I think the public is rightfully impatient with aviation congestion," Gribben said. "We've been tasked with coming up with sustained solutions, and we think we'll be there by next summer."