Pope Benedict XVII may be 81 years old but his busy non-stop schedule while he was in the United States belied his age. From Washington to New York with a side visit to Yonkers, Benedict XVII did not flinch from the busy, groundbreaking trip. The Pope got a taste of U.S. hospitality and energy, especially from the young people as evidenced by the huge youth rally in Yonkers. And he also proved himself open and ecumenical with heart-rending talks to victims of the terrible priest abuse scandals, as well as his open and warm reception at the New York City synagogue. He seemed remarkably

comfortable there. Where else would it end but at our airport; JFK in good old Jamaica, Queens. Press credentials were almost impossible to get, especially if you are a small, weekly newspaper in the village of “JFK” but I did speak to people who did attend the airport goodbye in Hangar 9 which did not look like a Hangar

it was so well prepared. Dolores Hoffman from the JFK ASDO office remarked about how she was struck by the calmness and gentleness of the man. How did he ever get the nickname; the Pope’s Rottweiler? It does not fit the man at all. And with jet engines spinning, just outside the Hangar was Shepherd One, the Alitalia Aircraft

waiting to fly him back to Rome. The close was simple; brief but gracious remarks by our Vice President, Dick Cheney and a simple but warm goodbye from the Pope. He’s 81 so maybe he will not be back but I sure hope he can make another trip.

The Federal Aviation Administration's plan for auctioning takeoff slots at La Guardia Airport to reduce chronic congestion is taking fire from Senator Schumer and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, who say it will cost New Yorkers. "The FAA's misguided plan to sell take-off and landing slots to the highest bidder won't make your plane take off faster, it will just cost New Yorkers more to fly and throw La Guardia Airport into chaos," Mr. Schumer said in a statement. The FAA is proposing two plans that would allocate either 14 or about 30 runway takeoff slots a day to be auctioned off to the highest airline bidder. Neither of the plans calls for a significant reduction in the volume of flights. Under one plan, the proceeds would be invested in new congestion reduction and capacity improvement initiatives in the New York region. Under the other, the carriers would retain the net proceeds of the auction. It is unclear which particular flights and times would be auctioned. Mr. Schumer said the airport, one of the most congested in America, needs an overhaul of its air traffic system and greater investment in technology and controllers.

PORT AUTHORITY STATEMENT
"Instead of modernizing a 1950s-era air traffic control system to meet passenger demand for more flights, the DOT and FAA are choosing to charge passengers more money via an auction without reducing delays and delivering relief. The right solutions are increasing capacity, rationalizing...

Russos on the Bay was the venue for the JFK Protestant Chapel Man and Woman of the Year Awards and those selected are well known JFK figures; Susan Baer, General Manager, JFK Airport, and Don Wright, VP, North American Operations, All Nippon Airways. Both Don and Susan are deserving winners of the Chapel awards as giving members of our airport community.

There was a full house at the LaGuardia Marriott Hotel to honor Vaughn College which is celebrating 75 years of service to the aviation industry. The Port Authority of NY & NJ and the

College held a fund raising luncheon which brought out the best of the industry here in New York. The final tally was not in at press time but we know the college did well and justly deserves our industry’s support. Speakers included John Fitzpatrick, President, Vaughn College and William DeCota, Director of Aviation for the Port Authority.

In order to reduce aviation-generated carbon emissions in Europe, the EU is requiring airlines to join a “carbon cap” and trade program no later than 2012. It's a European plan, but its not just for European airlines. Jacques Barrot, the EU transport commissioner, announced that all airlines with European service must participate, and those which don't may see access to lucrative European destinations chopped. And guess what; the US industry is not amused. Other industries in Europe have been engaged in carbon trading since 2005, and...