NEW YORK (AP) – New York Sen. Charles Schumer says airport delays are costing passengers, the airlines and the economy billions of dollars.

The Democratic lawmaker released a report Sunday that says record delays last year at LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark-Liberty airports cost an estimated $4.9 billion in lost productivity, canceled vacations, and higher gas prices.

Schumer says delays across the country cost the U.S. economy about $41 billion.

The senator says his report is based on figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Joint Economic Committee.

He is proposing legislation to permanently open military airspace, give New York’s air czar more funding and staff, and create a task force to address flight cancellations.

AP-ES-05-25-08 1648EDT