2007 Was 2nd Worst Ever for Plane Delays

Another controller nodded off in Nevada yesterday

(NEWSER) - The head of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization resigned today, amid a wave of reports of air traffic controllers sleeping on the job . Hank Krakowski submitted his resignation this morning to FAA chief Randy Babbitt, the Washington Post reports, who promised a “top to bottom” review of the air traffic control system he leaves behind. More»

Sorry, says FAA: don't expect airlines to cut on crowded routes

(NEWSER) - With fuel prices soaring into the skies, fewer airplanes will be following suit, but don't think that translates to less time on the tarmac. Airlines' cutbacks will ground planes, but mostly on less-traveled routes to smaller cities, the New York Times reports. The congestion at LAX and JFK isn't likely to improve, despite new FAA regulations. More»

FAA investigates Fla. incident in which 4 jets sent miles off course

(NEWSER) - The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an incident in which four Orlando-bound passenger jets were rerouted on Saturday in an effort to train a new air traffic controller. The Daily Mail reports the jets were directed into an area where thunderstorms were raging and that one, a Virgin Atlantic plane, was forced 70 miles off course. The FAA denies storms were in the area. More»

(NEWSER) - A computer glitch in an FAA computer system caused flight delays around the country today, the Wall Street Journal reports. The situation appeared to be easing this evening as airports—Atlanta, Chicago, and Boston were hardest hit—got back on track. The snag hit one of two FAA facilities that processes flight-approval plans. Air-traffic controllers said the error did not pose any safety risks, but it has raised questions about whether the FAA needs a better back-up system. More»

Carriers add up to 50% to flight times as congestion adds to ground, air delays

(NEWSER) - Air travel is the slowest it's been in the past 20 years, thanks to increased congestion both on the runway and in the air. A flight from Las Vegas to New York took 4 hours, 37 minutes in 1988, but that same route now requires over 6 hours, reports USA Today. And don't expect things to improve any time soon. More»