(05/01/08) NEWARK ? A flight reduction plan designed to ease congestion at area airports has gone into effect Thursday at Newark Liberty International Airport.

The plan reduces the number of flights to 83 per hour during peak times. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters says the reductions could lead to an additional 30 flights over the course of a day and less congestion.

?It probably increases safety too with takeoffs and landings and not having as many aircraft coming in and out of the airport,? says Peters.

However, not everyone agrees. One critic of the plan is the Port Authority. Representatives from that organization say there has already been a reduction in delays without the flight reduction.

A similar flight reduction plan will go into effect Saturday at JFK Airport.

FAA to cut back on flights at Newark airportFAA - Air Traffic Control System CommandCenter