Domestic delays decreased for US airlines in May

US domestic carriers improved on-time arrival performance in May, although more than 20 percent of flights still failed to reach their destinations on time, according to new data released by the US government.

Twenty-one percent of all U.S. commercial flights in May arrived at their destinations 15 minutes or more late, or were canceled or diverted, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

The figure is a decrease from the 22 percent reported during the same month in 2007, and in April this year. The April 2007 numbers were higher partially because American Airlines, the largest carrier in the U.S., had to ground many of its flights due to tightened maintenance scrutiny by the government.

The latest figures show that American once again experienced the most delays, with an on-time figure of 67.3 percent. United Airlines, the nation’s second-largest carrier, followed in second place, with 72.4 percent on-time arrivals. Continental Airlines was third with 75.4 percent.

Weather was noted as the biggest cause of delays during May, accounting for more than 44 percent of the total. In May of 2007, only 39 percent of flights were delayed because of weather.

Baggage handling numbers for U.S. carriers also improved in May. Approximately 4.6 of every 1,000 passengers reported that they had a mishandled bag in May, compared with around 6 per 1,000 in May of 2007 and 5 per 1,000 during April 2007.

www.dot.gov