Starting today, runway 13R-31L at JFK International, otherwise known as the "Bay Runway" will close for four months as the 14,572-foot long stretch of pavement undergoes repairs.  The runway will be widened from 150 to 200 feet and taxiways will be added in an effort to ease traffic congestion at the airport.  Regional Plan Association is currently partnering with government, business and civic groups in studying long term solutions for reducing delays and managing passenger growth at the region's airports.  Results are expected this fall.

Today, aircraft must fly from one radio-beacon, or VOR, to another. This is typically not the most direct route, and results in a sort of zig-zag flight path. With NextGen, navigation will be performance-based, thereby improving how precisely an aircraft navigates to its final destination, minimizing course deviation.

The FAA is implementing a four phase plan to redesign the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia airspace, which should be completed by 2012. These changes should reduce delays, improve travel times, and service reliability.