WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Airlines for America® (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines says the 2013 Airline Quality Rating report by researchers at Wichita State University and Purdue University misses some key points.
We agree with the report’s findings on improved airline operations. The nation’s carriers achieved the best year for on-time arrivals since 2003, a record-high success rate of 99.97 percent for baggage handling, the lowest cancellation rate since 2002 and reduced tarmac delays. According to data from the Department of Transportation, U.S. airlines had the best year ever for baggage performance with 997 of every 1,000 passengers having their bags properly handled. In addition, 81.85 percent of U.S. airline flights arrived on time – the third best year on record and the highest since 2003. The flight cancellation rate of 1.29 percent was the lowest since 2002 and tarmac delays were also down on a year-over-year basis.
“Flying remains the safest mode of transportation and airlines have shown stellar on time and baggage handling performance, during a time when airfares remain an unmatched bargain,” said A4A Vice President and Chief Economist John Heimlich. “Airlines continue to provide affordable[1] fares and reliable on time service, despite record high jet fuel prices, which have led to a nearly five percent increase in 2012 operating expenses[2].”
“According to Transportation Security Administration data, the number of checked bags per passenger actually increased slightly from a year ago, yet airline bag-handling continued to improve, in large part due to airline enhancements in baggage systems, vehicles, software and enhanced training,” Heimlich continued. “Despite the increased expenses, in 2012, U.S. airlines reinvested more than $9 billion[3] to further enhance the customer experience through new aircraft, onboard amenities, baggage processing improvements and facilities.”
Airlines’ improved performance could be further enhanced, with a National Airline Policy in place to address the high taxes, growing fuel prices, unnecessary regulations and an outdated air traffic control system.
ABOUT A4A
Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs. A4A airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. America needs a cohesive National Airline Policy that will support the integral role the nation’s airlines play in connecting people and goods globally, spur the nation’s economic growth and create more high-paying jobs.
For more information about the airline industry, visit www.airlines.org and follow us on Twitter @airlinesdotorg.
For more information about the National
Airline Policy campaign visit: www.nationalairlinepolicy.com
Twitter: @Natl_Air_Policy
Facebook: facebook.com/nationalairlinepolicy
[1] A4A: Industry Review & Outlook, Slide 9
[2]
A4A: Industry Review & Outlook, Slide 21
[3] A4A:
Industry Review & Outlook, Slide 44
