Flight Delays Soar To 13-Year High

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — US airline delays are at their highest level in at least 13 years, and analysts say fliers can expect more of the same for the rest of the summer.

The Department of Transportation on Monday said the industry’s on-time performance in the first six months of the year was its worst since the agency began gathering comparable data in 1995. In June, nearly a third of domestic flights on major US airlines were late.

Part of the explanation for the worsening delays is that demand for air travel is rising, both on major airlines and on smaller regional carriers. In addition, the government said weather-related delays in June were up 7 percent from a year ago.

Reports of mishandled baggage and complaints filed with the government also rose.

Airline consultant Robert Mann said US carriers improved their financial health in recent years by relying more on small 40- to 80-seat jets that are easier to fill up, and can be more profitable because there are fewer empty seats.

However, this strategy also leads to more crowded skies and runways in a system “that was already saturated,” Mr Mann said.

Regional carriers served 155.7 million passengers last year, up 38 percent from 2003 levels, according to the Washington-based Regional Airline Association.