Stuck in Summer Travel Chaos? A Look at the Worst Airport Delays and Cancellations
The final big summer vacation weekend for Americans ended on a somewhat positive note, as per data from FlightAware. The proportion of flights cancelled for the Labor Day weekend stood at 0.6%, a notable decrease from the average summer cancellation rate of 2.2% between Memorial Day and the first of September.
Kathleen Bangs, a spokesperson for FlightAware, attributed this improvement to a combination of factors, including good weather in many parts of the United States and some well-deserved recognition for airlines who beefed up their personnel during the summer months.
Despite this progress, the summer travel season was nothing short of a mess, with airports worldwide plagued by flight delays and cancellations. So, which airports led the pack in terms of the percentage of delayed and canceled flights this summer? Let's dive in.
The U.S.A.'s Worst Offenders
If you happened to find yourself flying out of the following US airports this summer, be prepared for delays or cancellations:
- Chicago Midway International Airport: 37.7%
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport: 32.5%
- Orlando International Airport: 32.2%
- John F. Kennedy International Airport: 31%
- Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas): 31%
- Newark Liberty International Airport: 30.4%
- Dallas Love Field: 29.1%
- Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport: 28.3%
- Denver International Airport: 27.5%
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport: 27.2%
New York and Florida airports, in particular, were hit hard by personnel issues at flight control centers, contributing to the high rates of delayed and cancelled flights. Stornierungsraten at Newark und LaGuardia reached almost 7% during the peak summer travel season between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Global Airports Floundering in Disaster
If you thought that the United States had a monopoly on travel woes, think again. Flights from various countries around the world also faced numerous delays and cancellations this summer.
Canada, for instance, saw high numbers of delayed flights at major airports like Toronto Pearson and Montréal-Trudeau, with more than half of arrivals experiencing delays.
Airports in Europe, such as Frankfurt, London, and Paris, struggled with delays, as well. Countries like China, plagued by ongoing travel restrictions and sudden lockdowns, also experienced significant flight cancellations.
Weather-Induced Catastrophes
While personnel shortages and regional congestion were certainly contributing factors, weather played a significant role in the chaos experienced during this summer travel season.
Some parts of the world suffered from severe weather, including summer thunderstorms and deicing backlogs at certain airports, exacerbating already existing flight delays and cancellations.
In conclusion, air travel during the summer months was a tumultuous affair, with a plethora of US and global airports grappling with high numbers of delayed and canceled flights. With hope for clearer skies, it's essential for travelers to ensure they are well-prepared when it comes to flight planning, researching potential delays, and understanding their rights as passengers.
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