"I think the proposed requirement is unnecessary, and it's unworkable, " Marchi said.

CNN: Airports resist new Y2K tests

But Richard Marchi, senior vice president of technical and environmental affairs at ACI-NA, said the proposal has not been well received by airport operators.

CNN: Airports resist new Y2K tests

ACI-NA has been working closely with the FAA on Year 2000 issues and did not expect the agency to set such broad requirements, according to Marchi.

CNN: Airports resist new Y2K tests

Marchi said the proposed rule was particularly disappointing in light of all the contingency plans in place and the testing that has been done or will be done before Jan. 1.

CNN: Airports resist new Y2K tests

Marchi said some of those airports have indicated that they would have to shut down operations for the first few hours of the new year to allow enough time to conduct the tests.

CNN: Airports resist new Y2K tests