Government announces Sept. 11 flight restrictions

WASHINGTON -- The federal government on Thursday announced less stringent flight restrictions coinciding with ceremonies at the three Sept. 11 crash sites.

New York will be affected far more than Washington or Somerset, Pa., said Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Bill Shumann. Air traffic will be slowed in the city's airspace for three days, with some flights rerouted and others being held, he said.

"Passengers may encounter delays on flights into the New York area," he said.

The temporary rules are less rigorous than those presented to the aviation industry last week. The earlier proposed restrictions would have been the most severe curtailment of air travel since the government shut down the aviation system on Sept. 11.

The earlier proposal would have banned internationally owned commercial airlines from flying over the sites on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

"Our concerns with the initial proposal were that the foreign airlines were discriminated against," said Wanda Warner, spokeswoman for the International Air Transport Association, which represents U.S. and foreign-owned airlines.

"The revised program does not do that."

Better than a ban

While restrictions on flight patterns for all commercial aircraft could cause some delays on Sept. 11, "It's certainly better than the operating ban," she said.

International agreements governing landing rights specify that foreign airlines not be discriminated against.

The new rules limit flying below 18,000 feet within a 34.5-mile radius of the event sites. Passengers on commercial airlines will be required to remain seated for 30 minutes after takeoff and 30 minutes before landing in the three areas.

Private flight will be banned or in some cases limited to aircraft operating under instrument flight rules. Sightseeing and training flights will be prohibited.

In New York, the restrictions will be in effect from 7 a.m. EDT on Sept. 11 until 8 p.m. on Sept. 13. Private planes will be banned shortly before, during and after public outdoor events on all three days. Flight schools and helicopter sightseeing tours will be basically shut down for three days, Shumann said.

In Washington, the restrictions will be in effect from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sept. 11. Flights will be banned over a ceremony at the Pentagon.

In Somerset County, Pa., flights will be banned over and near the outdoor ceremony on Sept. 11.

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On the Net

Federal Aviation Administration: http://www.faa.gov