/ Source: The Associated Press
Congressional investigators say U.S. aviation officials have no legal authority to auction off flight slots, a scheme the government devised to try to cut crippling traffic jams at major airports.
The report from the Government Accountability Office comes amid a legal fight among airlines, airport operators and the Federal Aviation Administration over the Bush administration's plan to curb flight delays by auctioning slots at New York City-area airports.
The FAA this summer announced a plan for a limited tryout auction at Newark-Liberty Airport.
A letter GAO sent to lawmakers Tuesday concludes the FAA may not auction slots under any current authority, and may also not retain or use proceeds of any such auction.