Drop in cancellations has come even at a time when air traffic is at record levels
The rate of flight cancellations in the United States fell to a 10-year low of 1.4 pc in the first half of the current year, according to data provided by American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The fall has come despite air travel booming and reaching new peaks in the same period.
According to a press statement by the US Department of Transportation, the air cancellation rates have been falling steadily, from 3 pc in 2022 to 1.4 pc in 2023. DOT says that weather continues to be the leading cause of flight cancellations.
The statement adds that the drop in cancellations has come even at a time when air traffic is at record levels, adding that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened more than 2.99 million people in a single day at US airports on June 23, marking the highest number of airline passengers the organisation has ever screened.
TSA screened more than 32 million individuals this Independence Day travel season, which is a 5.4 pc increase over last year. At the same time, airfares are down 6 pc over the last year and below pre-pandemic prices.
Pete Buttigieg
“This year’s record-breaking air travel is another good sign for our economy as more Americans take to the skies than ever before,” says Pete Buttigieg, US Transportation Secretary.
“To help avoid travel headaches, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic action to modernise airports and expand passenger protections for a smoother travel experience,” Buttigieg adds.
DOT says that President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests USD 25 billion in US airport infrastructure over five years.
This has aided in improving runways and air traffic control towers as well as adding gates and flight capacity, modernising baggage systems, replacing passenger boarding bridges, reconfiguring security screening areas, improving safety, and more to finally meet anticipated demand in the decades to come.
FAA had also announced USD 289 million in airport infrastructure grants in 40 states and an additional USD 1 billion to modernise airport terminals.
Nearly 200 terminal projects are already under construction to modernise America’s airports and make air travel safer and smoother, the statement adds.
The Department of Transportation developed new regulations, including guarantees for refunds for cancelled flights and a dashboard that informs passengers of their rights when flying, in an attempt to assist travellers.
It says that the Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic action to improve airline passenger rights and oversight of the airline industry:
According to reports, the rules create a more competitive airline market by requiring airlines to disclose critical extra fees, like change fees and baggage fees, upfront to ensure consumers can better understand the true cost of air travel.
The rule also bans “bait-and-switch” advertising tactics and requires airlines to clearly tell passengers upfront that a seat is included with the cost of their ticket. This rule is expected to save consumers over UISD 500 million every year.
A new dashboard mandates all 10 major US airlines guaranteed free rebooking and meals when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation.
DOT says that these are new commitments the airlines added to their customer service plans to legally ensure they adhere to through enforcement action.
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