- U.S. airlines have canceled and delayed more flights in the first seven months of this year than during the comparable period in 2019, writes Reuters.
- According to data from flight-tracking website FlightAware, U.S.-based carriers canceled 128,934 flights from January to July, an increase of nearly 11% from pre-pandemic levels.
- Additionally, this year has seen close to one million flight delays.
- Related: International Airlines Prepare For Mayhem Of Summer Travel Season: Report
- American Airlines Group Inc (NASDAQ: AAL) canceled 19,717 flights, the most among big U.S. carriers, followed by Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE: LUV) at 17,381 flights, and the least cancellations at roughly 10,000 flights were reported by Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL).
- As a result of a pilot shortage and unforeseeable storms, airlines have had a challenging year and come under heavy regulatory scrutiny.
- Related: Fourth Of July Travel Is Picking Up: How Will Major US Airlines Handle Delays, Cancellations And Pilot Shortages?
- Flight delays from U.S airlines rose to 993,841 this year from 922,400 in the first seven months of 2019, according to FlightAware.
- In July, two U.S. senators urged the U.S. Department of Transportation to impose fines on airlines that postpone or cancel flights due to personnel or operational problems, while Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has called for a revision of the laws that govern airlines.
