Wed, Mar 02, 2005
Blames Ice Storm For Comair Woes
The DOT's Inspector General has released its report on the
massive air travel disruptions that plagued both Comair and US
Airways over the Christmas holidays. Here's reaction from
Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta to the IG
report, issued Wednesday afternoon:
“The Inspector General’s report on Christmas 2004
holiday travel disruptions provides a factual look at the causes of
delayed or cancelled flights and lost baggage experienced by more
than 800 thousand US Airways and Comair passengers. The report
makes clear that Comair’s troubles were caused by an ice
storm that was greater than anticipated and limitations in its crew
scheduling computer that it was unaware existed.
“By contrast, US Airways’ troubles were the result
of staffing shortfalls at its Philadelphia hub. The Inspector
General found that while these shortfalls were anticipated by US
Airways’ management, their plans to address them did not
succeed. I am troubled that the report also indicates that US
Airways lacked certain data concerning the disruptions, such as the
number of lost baggage or whether persons with disabilities and
unaccompanied minors were properly accommodated.
“Air travelers are returning to the skies in record
numbers and showing their confidence in all of us to keep them
safe, secure and on time. The Inspector General’s findings
make clear that airlines must be vigilant in ensuring that they are
adequately prepared to address events that affect the quality of
the service they provide, including bad weather, computer glitches,
and staffing shortfalls that can and should be anticipated. To
that end, I have directed that the report be distributed to all
major U.S. airlines and am urging their managers to review this
document carefully and to evaluate their own procedures and systems
in light of the Inspector General’s findings.”
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