Delta Cements LaGuardia Grip With Trade of Flight Slots

Delta Air Lines Inc. strengthened its grip in New York, the nation’s busiest aviation market, by winning federal approval to swap takeoff and landing slots with US Airways Group Inc. to expand at LaGuardia airport.

U.S. regulators gave the go-ahead to the exchange yesterday, capping a push by Atlanta-based Delta that began more than two years ago. Delta will gain control of about half the flights at LaGuardia airport by trading slots to US Airways at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.