Airlines improve on-time arrivals in August
MINNEAPOLIS — Arriving on-time was just a little bit easier for airline passenger traveling in August.
The Transportation Department said on Tuesday that 79.7 percent of flights arrived on time in August. That was an improvement from 78.4 percent in August 2008, and 77.6 percent in July.
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. was the most punctual of the large carriers, with an on-time arrival rate of 82.8 percent. Houston-based Continental, along with US Airways and United, also came in above the average of 79.7 percent. Northwest (now part of Delta Air Lines Inc.) and AirTran had the lowest on-time rate of the big carriers, near 74 percent.
Airlines say the biggest cause of delays were when one late plane caused the next flight on the same aircraft to be late. Another cause was issues with the national aviation system such as airport operations, heavy traffic, and air traffic control.
Nineteen airlines report monthly on-time data and causes of delays to the Department of Transportation. The delays are labeled under categories such as “Extreme Weather” and “National Aviation System Delay” that were created by the airlines, industry groups, travel agents and government officials.
The government considers a flight on-time if it arrives within 15 minutes of schedule. Canceled and diverted flights count as late.
Hawaiian Airlines topped the list of all 19 carriers, with 94.7 percent of flights arriving on-time. Delta regional operator Comair was last, at 65.9 percent. Comair also had the highest rate of canceled flights, 4.3 percent. Continental canceled just 0.2 percent of its flights, the best of all 19 carriers.
Those on-time passengers were a little more likely to have their luggage waiting for them, too. Reports of mishandled bags fell to 4.04 per 1,000 passengers in August, down from 4.98 a year earlier. Fewer people are flying this year, and the passengers who remain are checking fewer bags because of baggage fees.
AirTran had the best baggage performance in August, with 1.74 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers. Comair held last place by this measure, too, with 8.2 mishandled bags for every 1,000 passengers. Delta had the lowest ranking of the large carriers, with 5.02 mishandled bags for every 1,000 passengers.
| - Alitalia: 4-hour strike could cause delays, cancellations of flights
- Powerful typhoon tears through Japan, many lose power, flights canceled; 2 dead, dozens hurt
- Powerful typhoon forces flight cancellations, cuts power in Japan; 2 dead, dozens injured
- Brookings sees more flight delays as economy improves; light rail, rush-hour fees suggested
- Security checkpoints at Houston airport briefly shut after passenger goes up a down escalator
- Skies clear, cleanup begins after Australia's most severe dust storm blankets Sydney
- Dust storm shrouds Sydney in red grit, causing flight chaos and prompting health warnings
- Interim Honduran government again extends curfew, after clashing with anti-coup protesters
|
Related News
Big airlines expand $10 surcharge for already-expensive travel around the holidaysOctober 6th, 2009 Airlines expand $10 surcharge on busy travel daysMINNEAPOLIS — Several big airlines have added $10 surcharges for busy days around the holidays, making days that already tended to be expensive to fly a little more costly. Last month airlines added a $10 each-way surcharge for Nov.
Airline shares fall as investors cash in after steady climbSeptember 18th, 2009 Sector Snap: Airlines shares sagNEW YORK — Investors sold off airline shares Friday morning as the broader market managed some small gains. Airline stocks have been steadily rising over the past couple of weeks along with the rest of the market as hopes grow for an economic recovery.
The Transportation Department's on-time arrival ranking for US airlinesSeptember 8th, 2009 DOT releases airline delay list for AugustThe percentage of airline flights in August that arrived within 15 minutes of schedule, according to the U.S. Transportation Department:
1.
Airlines don't move much, despite jump in oil prices back above $71 a barrelSeptember 8th, 2009 Sector Snap: Airlines shrug off oil price jumpMINNEAPOLIS — Airline investors didn't seem to mind that oil prices jumped on Tuesday. Airline shares have often moved opposite of oil prices, since jet fuel is one of an airline's biggest expenses.
Several airline shares fall as oil prices climb slightlyAugust 10th, 2009 Sector Snap: Airlines fall as oil prices riseMINNEAPOLIS —Most airlines' shares fell slightly on Monday as oil prices rose. The Amex Airline Index was down 1.5 percent, with nearly all of its U.S.
A look at airlines' on-time performance as reported by the DOTAugust 4th, 2009 A look at airlines' on-time statusThe following lists 19 airlines' on-time performance in June and overall on-time performance since the beginning of the year, according to data from the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Carrier On-Time Arrival Pct.
Republic Airways parent completes acquisition of Midwest Airlines for $31M in cash and debtJuly 31st, 2009 Republic Airways parent closes purchase of MidwestMILWAUKEE — Republic Airways Holdings says it has completed its acquisition of privately held Midwest Airlines for $31 million in cash and debt. Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings is a regional carrier that currently flies under contract for other airlines.
Airlines Delays ListJuly 9th, 2009 Airlines Delays ListThe percentage of airline flights in May that arrived within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival, according to the U.S. Transportation Department:
1.
Most airline shares rise as broader stock market heads higherJune 29th, 2009 Sector Snap: Most airline shares higherATLANTA — Despite a rise in oil prices, airline shares were mostly higher Monday as the broader stock market was up. The AMEX Airline Index rose three-quarters of 1 percent in afternoon trading.
A look at the baggage fees charged by major US airlinesJune 19th, 2009 Baggage fees at US airlinesA rundown of baggage fees at major U.S. airlines:
—American Airlines, AirTran Airways, Continental Airlines: $15 for the first checked piece of luggage, $25 for the second.
Airlines mostly lower as oil, broader market dropJune 12th, 2009 Sector Snap: Airline shares mostly lowerATLANTA — Airline shares were mostly lower Friday as oil prices took a breather and slid lower and the overall market declined. Benchmark crude for July delivery fell 77 cents to $71.91 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the first time oil prices have fallen in several days.
A look at airlines' on-time performance in April, as reported by the DOTJune 9th, 2009 A look at airlines' on-time status in AprilThe following are rankings of 19 airlines' on-time performance in April, according to data from the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics:
Carrier On-Time Arrival Pct.
Hawaiian 91.1
Pinnacle 86.2
Skywest 85.8
Alaska 84.3
Southwest 84.1
Northwest 83.1
United 80.7
Mesa 80.6
US Airways 79.9
Airtran 78.3
Frontier 77.7
Delta 76.5
American Eagle 75.7
American 74.4
Expressjet 72.8
JetBlue 72.7
Continental 72.0
Atlantic Southeast 69.4
Comair 68.6
All Airlines 79.1
Airlines shares rise as investors see value, JPMorgan raises Continental to 'Overweight'June 2nd, 2009 Sector Snap: Airlines gainNEW YORK — Airline shares headed higher for a second day on Tuesday as investors scooped up shares beaten down in recent weeks, and set aside reports of lower traffic in May. The AMEX Airline Index rose 5.7 percent, with all 13 component stocks higher.
A look at US airlines' on-time performance in MarchMay 12th, 2009 A look at airlines' March on-time performanceThe following are the rankings of 19 airlines' on-time performance in March, according to data provided by the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics:
Carrier On-Time Arrival Pct.
Hawaiian 91.46
Pinnacle 85.09
Southwest 83.89
Northwest 82.71
SkyWest 82.39
United 80.50
US Airways 79.57
JetBlue 79.24
American Eagle 78.44
Frontier 78.37
American 77.54
Mesa 76.07
Comair 74.35
Continental 74.21
AirTran 74.01
Delta 73.88
ExpressJet 71.72
Alaska 70.24
Atlantic Southeast 60.90
All Airlines 78.40
Airlines shares fall as oil prices climb and Fitch worries about access to creditMay 6th, 2009 Sector Snap: Airlines pull backATLANTA — Shares of U.S. carriers fell Thursday as the broader stock market pulled back and oil prices inched higher, continuing a rally that started earlier in the week.
Loading ...