Low-Cost Carriers to Get Slots at Newark Liberty

Joe Cortez September 16, 2021

With the hopes of spurring competition at United’s New York-area hub, the U.S. Department of Transportation will give low-cost or ultra-low-cost carriers enough slots for eight round-trip flights. The slots previously belonged to Southwest, which left the facility in favor of LaGuardia Airport.

Flyers traveling out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) will soon have more airline options in the form of low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers. The Associated Press reports slots formerly held by Southwest Airlines will go to a single discount airline yet to be determined.

Slot Giveaway Hopes to Spur Competition at Airport

The slots – enough for eight daily round-trip flights – were originally held by Southwest Airlines when they traveled through the airport. The Dallas-based airline left Newark in 2019, citing the extended grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX as one of the mitigating factors.

After Southwest abandoned the slots, research suggested United Airlines may try to campaign to have the slots removed, using the excuse of reduced slot pressure to consolidate power at their hub. When it was announced the slots would be eliminated, Spirit Airlines sued the Federal Aviation Administration to keep them active. Spirit won the suit, causing the slots to remain open for airlines.

In keeping the slots, the U.S. Department of Transportation hopes to increase competition at the airport, ultimately lowering prices for travelers. Although the slots will be open to one of the low-cost airlines, its unclear which one could take them. Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Spirit and Sun Country Airlines all operate flights out of Newark. None of them have commented on the new developments.