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.”

FMI: www.dot.gov