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As air travel has returned to pre-pandemic levels over the past several months, Airports and airlines have struggled. To monitor the increase in demand. CBS News has obtained a letter from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to JetBlue Airlines, saying the frequent flight delays and cancellations in the U.S. are “unacceptable.”
In Thursday’s letter, Buttigieg said he had also written to nine of the country’s leading airlines.
According to the letter, an estimated 24% of domestic flights are delayed and 3.2% canceled in the first half of 2022.
To help customers, the Department of Transportation is creating a website — scheduled to go live before Labor Day weekend — that will be more visible. Cancellation, delay and refund of each airline policies, Buttigieg said.
“When passengers experience cancellations and delays, they should be provided with clear and transparent information on the services your airline offers, to address the costs and problems caused by these disruptions,” Btigieg said.
The airlines have also asked customers with delays of more than three hours to provide meal vouchers and accommodation for customers who are “under the control of the carrier” due to flight disruptions.
“Regardless of the reason for the delay or cancellation, the department expects airlines to provide timely and responsive service to customers during and after a flight disruption,” the secretary said.
In response to the letter, industry group Airline America said in a statement that U.S. airlines are facing many challenges following the pandemic, including a “tight labor market.” But the airlines have been willing to work with the Department of Transportation and have been operating according to federal regulations, he said.
A4A estimates that US airlines returned a total of $21.8 billion in cash back to their customers in 2020 and 2021.
In the first five months of 2022, the weather and the national airspace indicated that 63% of flights were cancelled. Airlines cut their winter schedules to keep customers loyal.
“Carriers strive to provide the highest level of customer service and look forward to working with DOT to provide transparency to the traveling public,” A4A wrote.
CBS News reached out to several major U.S. airlines for comment. Alaska, American, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, and United all led to the A4A declaration.
In the past several months, US airports have seen an increase in the number of travelers going through TSA screening and boarding flights. However, the rate of flight cancellations is nearly one-third lower than the same period in 2019, and the rate of delays is nearly one-quarter, according to the Associated Press.
The airlines have it He blamed the Federal Aviation Administration As for the delays, the FAA says the airlines are flying schedules they can’t physically support. The pilots blamed the airlines For added workload and flight time, they say it could be a safety issue. Meanwhile, just before the Fourth of July weekend, also known as “Airmageddon.” CBS News reported Passenger complaints against airlines increased by 300% in 2019.
Sophie Reardon
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