Five Lengthy Tarmac Delays Reported

The nation’s largest airlines posted an on-time arrival rate of 76.9 percent in May, down from both the 79.4 percent on-time rate posted in May 2013 and the 79.6 percent on-time rate posted in April 2014. 

In addition, the reporting carriers canceled 1.9 percent of their scheduled domestic flights in May, up from the 1.1 percent cancellation rate posted in both May 2013 and in April 2014. 

Also, in May, airlines reported four tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights and one tarmac delay of more than four hours on an international flight according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report released today. All U.S. and foreign airlines operating at least one aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats must report lengthy tarmac delays at U.S. airports. All of the reported tarmac delays are under investigation by the Department.

The larger U.S. airlines have been required to file complete reports on their long tarmac delays for domestic flights since October 2008. Under a rule that took effect Aug. 23, 2011, all U.S. and foreign airlines operating at least one aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats must report lengthy tarmac delays at U.S. airports.  

The consumer report also includes data on chronically delayed flights and the causes of flight delays filed with the Department’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics by the reporting carriers.  In addition, the consumer report contains information on mishandled baggage reports filed by consumers with the carriers and airline service complaints received by the Department’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division.  The consumer report also includes reports of incidents involving the loss, death, or injury of pets traveling by air, as required to be filed by U.S. carriers.

FMI: www.bts.gov