More than a decade ago, flight delays cost the US economy $9 billion. Today, there are estimates that similar delays are costing more than $17 billion.
Then, as now, the US president vowed to find answers. Recently, President Bush asked Transportation Secretary Mary Peters to come to the White House to find answers.
“Airlines can, and should, pay more to land at peak times, give passengers more complete and timely updates about delays, treat them better in general and compensate them more fairly when they’re greatly inconvenienced,” writes the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “These small steps could be implemented swiftly.”
But the root causes for the delays, however, date back to the Cold War Era. It’s the country’s air traffic control system, which shares the blame for many, if not most of the delays.
The Transportation Department estimates it would cost $22 billion to put in a new air traffic control system, which wouldn’t be in place until 2025.
“What’s more, the nation has 1,100 fewer air traffic controllers than it had on Sept. 11, 2001. And with airlines using smaller planes and more of them, there’s more to keep track of up there.”
Any attempts to address flight delays must address these structural issues, the newspaper says. That means true relief for passengers will require a lot of money and time.
The holiday flying season won’t wait, though. So the newspaper has a temporary suggestion: everyone should add extra patience along with their packing.
Report by David Wilkening
