A new report has highlighted how US airport passengers are now twice as likely to be delayed as they were two decades ago, adding that the economic recovery to come will only make the situation worse. Issued by the Brookings Institution on October 8th 2009, the report detailed a number of factors contributing to this scenario, including the sheer number of short-haul flights and an ATC (Air Traffic Control) system described as ‘ill-equipped”. As a remedy, the researchers recommended a number of solutions, including:- Placing greater emphasis on high-speed intercity rail links over short-haul flights
- The introduction of new fees imposed at rush hour times, which would give airlines the opportunity to distribute flights more throughout the day.
- The introducing of new technology to allow airliner arrivals and departures to take place with more frequency
- Possible airport privatisation
Delayed Flights
The Brookings researchers found that delayed flights made up more than 10 per cent of all US airline flights, with touch-downs made two or more hours behind schedule. This was close to six per cent more than in 1990. Meanwhile, the average delay that passengers could expect was almost 60 minutes – over quarter-of-an-hour more than 1990.
New York’s airports (JFK, La Guardia, etc) produced the worst results of those assessed, with late arrivals and late departures recorded on 30 per cent and 22 per cent of occasions, respectively. Other large cities such as Chicago, San Francisco and Miami also produced airport delays, while the best performances were produced by airports in Honolulu, San Jose and Salt Lake City.
Airport Flight Delays
The impact of the recession has seen airlines reduce flight volumes and this, the researchers noted, has produced recent improvements in airport flight delays. However, this will be reversed in line with economic re-stabilisation, the report warned.
“We're not trying to point fingers at the airlines”, report co-author Adie Tomer stressed. “There are a lot of people flying and we simply don't have the capacity to handle them.”
As far as Air Transport Association representative David Castelveter was concerned, one of the suggested measures, the rush hour charges, would have no effect if introduced. The fees, he said, “will do nothing to reduce congestion. It will simply add another tax on passengers.”
The association suggests introducing new Air Traffic Control technology instead.
Sources : Airport International's US Correspondent
The Brookings researchers found that delayed flights made up more than 10 per cent of all US airline flights, with touch-downs made two or more hours behind schedule. This was close to six per cent more than in 1990. Meanwhile, the average delay that passengers could expect was almost 60 minutes – over quarter-of-an-hour more than 1990.
New York’s airports (JFK, La Guardia, etc) produced the worst results of those assessed, with late arrivals and late departures recorded on 30 per cent and 22 per cent of occasions, respectively. Other large cities such as Chicago, San Francisco and Miami also produced airport delays, while the best performances were produced by airports in Honolulu, San Jose and Salt Lake City.
Airport Flight Delays
The impact of the recession has seen airlines reduce flight volumes and this, the researchers noted, has produced recent improvements in airport flight delays. However, this will be reversed in line with economic re-stabilisation, the report warned.
“We're not trying to point fingers at the airlines”, report co-author Adie Tomer stressed. “There are a lot of people flying and we simply don't have the capacity to handle them.”
As far as Air Transport Association representative David Castelveter was concerned, one of the suggested measures, the rush hour charges, would have no effect if introduced. The fees, he said, “will do nothing to reduce congestion. It will simply add another tax on passengers.”
The association suggests introducing new Air Traffic Control technology instead.
Sources : Airport International's US Correspondent
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