Instead, he said, the air traffic system needs to make heavy use of existing systems, and adapt them fast, something private industry can do better than the government.
To get an accurate read on an airplane's heading as it nears the terminal, an air traffic controller needs three radar hits, or 14 seconds.
But in spite of the concept's checkered past and the Port Authority's history of overestimating growth in air traffic, the need for a fourth airport is inescapable this time, Mr. Coscia said.
Many advocates go farther and say that the air traffic control system needs to be separated from the F.A.A. and handed over to a new, independent entity that would operate like a business.
Air traffic authorities also need to update the existing guidance, and European governments should extend a revision of the existing noise policy.
"Flying close to humans, flying close to buildings, flying close to other flying vehicles, and legislation, insurance, air traffic control, all this needs to be sorted before something like this can be demonstrated," he added.
How do we know we really need air traffic control unless we try a day without it?
When you've been an air traffic controller, and you need to bring down the plane safely, you have to trust your own judgment".
The West European air traffic authorities say they need about 1,800 to 2,000 controllers in addition to the 18,000 already in service.
Even though airport officials were ready to open on schedule, in March, air traffic controllers said they needed more time to train.
