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BTS-99-5999

Air Transport Association of America, Inc. / Airline Service Quality Performance Reports Rule

Experience, especially within the last few months, has confirmed our observations about the inherent vice of the Rule. According to FAA's own OPSNET data on ATC delays, April 1999 was the worst April for ATC-caused delays in any of the five most recent years for which FAA data are currently available. April ATC delays were up 51 percent from the previous April. And May ATC delays were worse. May ATC delays were not only the worst of any May in recent years, they were the worst of any month in recent years. They were up 37 percent over the previous May. By any measure of the problem, ATC-caused delays are dramatically worse this spring and summer. Passengers and airlines alike are feeling the pain of those increased delays. Of particular concern to us is the fact that normally the number of ATC delays peaks for the year in either June or July, the high demand months for air travel. So far, we have ATC delay data only through May of this year. We have not seen in recent years the peak in ATC delays begin as early or become as high as they are thus far this year. We consequently have real misgivings about the severity of ATC delay levels this summer.

These delays greatly inconvenience customers. They also force carriers to artificially lengthen schedules, which is wasteful to both passengers and airlines. They have induced some carriers to close aircraft doors five minutes before scheduled departure time so as to reduce the likelihood of any delay at the terminal because of the realization that the remainder of the flight may be caught in this rising tide of ATC delays. Because the Rule does not recognize ATC delays, the public is misinformed about the source of many air service difficulties. It is quite simply unaware of the extent of ATC delays. The public is thereby denied information that is critical to an accurate assessment of the government's performance in providing services that are indispensable to the efficient air transportation of passengers and goods.

Counsel:  James Casey, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, 202.626.4211

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