On October 10, 2008, the Department of Transportation (DOT) published final congestion management rules for John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Newark Liberty International, and LaGuardia Airports.  Under the final rules, DOT will retain caps on operations at JFK and Newark airports and reduce the number of operations permitted at LaGuardia.  The rules prescribe a process for reallocating slots to operate at the three airports and create a program by which the FAA will auction slots.  The first such slot auction is scheduled to occur in January 2009.  The final rules, particularly the slot auction, are quite controversial and the subject of pending litigation.