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As Fewer Fly, Airline Delays Nosedive

Major airports see traffic fall 9%

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 24, 2009 7:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – With fewer travelers taking to the skies, airline delays have dropped significantly compared to recent years, USA Today reports. Delays topping two hours fell by more than a quarter this year from 2008 and 2007 levels, while traffic at big hubs has dropped 9% compared to last year. Traffic at airports hardest hit by airline restructuring, like Pittsburgh and St. Louis, has sunk some two-thirds.

The decrease in traffic has eased delays at all but two of the 31 busiest US airports—Atlanta and Newark. The biggest gainer: Chicago's O'Hare Airport, which opened a new runway last fall, went from 61% to 78% on time departures. “We're no longer at rush hour,” says an expert.

Travelers make their way through Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Friday, July 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

In this June 27, 2008 file photo, a US Airways aircraft lands at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, NJ. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, file)

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As Fewer Fly, Airline Delays Nosedive

Major airports see traffic fall 9%

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American Eagle first to be fined under new policy

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... Newark International Airport, take a bow

Chicago-Bound Bombs Trigger Security Alerts

They're found in Dubai and England, prompt plane searches in US

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As Fewer Fly, Airline Delays Nosedive

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

airline industry • airport • Newark airport • air traffic • O'Hare International Airport • flight delays

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Riskiest Part of Flight Might Now Be on Ground

With skies safe, officials turn their attention to 'surface threats' on runways

Airline Hit With $900K Fine for Tarmac Waits

American Eagle first to be fined under new policy

The Busiest Turkey Day Airport Will Be ...

Orbitz issues its annual ranking

America's Worst Airport Is...

... Newark International Airport, take a bow

Chicago-Bound Bombs Trigger Security Alerts

They're found in Dubai and England, prompt plane searches in US

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?