BTS Data Shows Only 12 Delays Beyond The New Limit Since May

November was the second month in a row that the nation's largest airlines reported no flights with tarmac delays of more than three hours, while the carriers reported only a slight increase in the rate of canceled flights during the month, according to the Air Travel Consumer Report released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). This past October and November were the only months with no tarmac delays of more than three hours by the reporting carriers since the Department began collecting more comprehensive tarmac delay data in October 2008.

Data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) showed there have been only 12 total tarmac delays of more than three hours reported from May through November 2010 by the 18 airlines that file on-time performance data with DOT, compared to 550 during the same seven-month period of 2009.  November was the seventh full month of data since the new aviation consumer rule went into effect on April 29, 2010.   BTS is a part of DOT's Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA).

The largest carriers canceled 0.7 percent of their scheduled domestic flights in November, up from the 0.5 percent cancellation rate of November 2009.  They posted a 0.97 percent cancellation rate in October 2010. The number of canceled flights with tarmac delays of more than two hours increased only slightly, from 224 between May and November 2009 to 241 between May and November 2010. There were 11 canceled flights with tarmac delays of more than two hours in November 2010, up from zero in November 2009. 

The new tarmac delay rule prohibits U.S. airlines operating domestic flights from permitting an aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours without deplaning passengers, with exceptions allowed only for safety or security or if air traffic control advises the pilot in command that returning to the terminal would disrupt airport operations. The Department will investigate tarmac delays that exceed this limit.

Kate Hanni

FlyersRights.org executive director Kate Hanni praised the performance of the airlines under the new rules, but said international passengers should also be afforded the same consideration. "The DOT has hit a home run for travelers with the 3 hour rule. We hope they move swiftly to announce their new rule further enhancing airline passengers rights by giving International flights the same protections afforded our domestic flights. While the Regulation is an important protection, its vital that the new Congress move quickly to both include the airline passengers bill of rights in the FAA Modernization Bill and pass it quickly so that airline passengers have permanent, enforceable and sustainable rights," said Hanni.  The group pushed for the tarmac delay rules.

The monthly report also includes data on on-time performance, chronically delayed flights, flight cancellations and the causes of flight delays filed with the Department by the reporting carriers. In addition, it has information on reports of mishandled baggage filed by consumers with the carriers, and consumer service, disability and discrimination complaints received by DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection Division. This report also includes reports of incidents involving pets traveling by air, as required to be filed by U.S. carriers.

FMI: www.bts.gov