Reno Air Flights at John Wayne Delayed at Least Week : Aviation: FAA asks for more review time after competitor objects to low-fare carrier’s proposed contract with county.

Reno Air, the discount airline that hopes to bring its low-fare service to John Wayne Airport, won’t touch down in Orange County for at least another week.

The airline had planned to take over up to six of American Airlines’ flights from Orange County to San Jose as early as today. But questions from the Federal Aviation Administration and competitor United Airlines have delayed the launch.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved Reno Air’s plan in concept last week. At the request of the FAA, however, airport officials withdrew the final contract from the board’s agenda this week and postponed discussion on it until Tuesday.

“We’re hoping to start service as early as” Wednesday, said Sue Putnam, a spokeswoman for Reno Air. “We’re still confident that the service will begin.”

United objected to the terms of the proposed contract with the county. As a result, the FAA asked for more time to review the deal, said Steve Blanchard, an aide to Supervisor Thomas F. Riley.

New airlines typically have to wait their turn for departure slots at John Wayne Airport, which has numerous limitations because of noise restrictions. The newcomers also generally receive only two slots.

Under the agreement with the county, American Airlines would still have authority over the slots but would let Reno Air use them, said Courtney Wiercioch, spokeswoman for the airport.

Reno Air’s authority to fly out of John Wayne Airport would expire on Sept. 30, when airport officials hope to have a new policy for granting access.