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NY-Area Airports Will Close To Arriving Flights Saturday Because Of Irene

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Officials say they will close the five New York-area airports to arriving passenger flights beginning at noon on Saturday.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airports, says many weekend departures also have been canceled in anticipation of Hurricane Irene.

The suspension affects John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, Stewart International and Teterboro airports. It applies to both domestic and international flights.

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The Port Authority said it was taking the action to avoid stranding passengers at the airports when the region's mass transit systems will not be running because of the hurricane threat.

Meanwhile, the Taxi and Limousine Commission says it has implemented a zone fare system to permit livery cabs and other for-hire vehicles to pick up street hails.

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In addition, the TLC says it will authorize taxis and other vehicles to conduct group rides to maximize passenger-carrying capacity during the storm.

Earlier in the day, officials also announced that MTA subway and bus service, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North and PATH train service would be suspended as of noon on Saturday.

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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