Report on Delayed/Cancelled Flights
71-page report from Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Air Transport Assoc.
Lots of info on delayed flights, schedules, costs, etc.
F.A.A.
July 25, 2000
If it seems like you spend more time on the ground at the airport than you do actually flying, that could well be the case.
According to the Transportation Department Inspector General, there's been a 58 percent increase in flight delays between 1995 and 1999. And when it comes to cancellations, there's been a 68 percent increase.
The problem may be even worse than that, when you take into account the way the Bureau of Transportation tracks delays. A flight is considered on time if it leaves the gate within 15 minutes of its scheduled time, even if you sit on the runway for another three hours.
It's no wonder that airline passengers want better service. The airlines say they want to give it. And now the U.S. Senate wants to know why it's not being done.
News Specialist Scott Light reports.
Cindy Anderson has been on a plane or in an airport nearly 24 hours.
She left Germany, flew to London, to Chicago and now home to Salt Lake.
She didn't have a problem with any of the flights.
Cindy Anderson/Passenger: "GREAT.. THEY WERE ALL ON TIME." "REALLY?"
"YEAH.. NO BAGGAGE PROBLEMS."
It's another story for people like Susan Whitesides who flies about once a month.
Susan Whitesides/Passenger: "PROBABLY ABOUT 70-PERCENT OF AIRLINES ARE LATE, NOT ON TIME, THAT I HAVE FLOWN."
That sentiment has landed in Washington.
Some members of Congress say the real turbulence is with the flying public, because of delays and cancellations.
Senator Richard Shelby says it may take an act of Congress to improve airline customer service.
Sen. Richard Shelby/(R) Alabama: "WHEN WE GET DOWN TO IT, THE PASSENGERS ARE CAPTIVE IN THE SYSTEM FROM THE MOMENT HE OR SHE ARRIVES AT THE AIRPORT, WHILE ESCAPING AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT."
Like an overcrowded airplane, some congressional leaders say the airports are overbooked and can't handle all the flights without delays.
Salt Lake International is addressing the bulge in passengers.
A decade ago, 10 million passengers would come through here a year.
Today that figure is 20 million.
The airport's master plan also addresses convenience issues like separated terminals.
Barbara Gann/Salt Lake International Airport: "ONE OF THE THINGS IT WILL DO FOR US IS THE ABILITY TO HAVE ONE SET OF SERVICES RATHER THAN DUPLICATING THEM TWICE LIKE WE DO NOW WITH A TWO TERMINAL SYSTEM."
Once the updates and expansions are complete, officials say 20 million passengers annually is a workable number for quality customer service.
We also checked the airlines.
Both United and Southwest told us they have no problems with Salt Lake's facilities.
Delta didn't return our phone calls.
No word when the updates will be finished.
One more helpful factor.
The airport says the number of airline passengers is now leveling off.
