Delta Airlines predicts ‘record’ summer travel season as FAA warns of another spike in air delays

 Friday, April 14, 2023 

Air travellers may face more delays and disruptions this summer, as airlines struggle to replenish staffing levels and face a shortage of qualified air traffic controllers. Despite this, air travel demand remains strong, with Delta Air Lines projecting “record advance bookings for the summer.”

Data from Hopper also shows strong demand, particularly for international travel, with prices up 34% from last year and 32% from 2019. The latest figures from the Transportation Security Administration also show daily passenger screening levels well ahead of where they were last year, with numerous days in 2023 already surpassing their pre-pandemic equivalents.

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said customers are more interested than ever in getting out of town this summer and that air travel is something the consumer is prioritizing. Nevertheless, Delta Air Lines plans to nix a previously planned effort to get passenger capacity back to 2019 levels and is intentionally pulling back some capacity to ensure it does not outrun its capabilities.

Other airlines are also cutting flights to address performance issues. The Federal Aviation Administration is asking airlines to cut back service in the New York area due to a severe shortfall of qualified air traffic controllers, with the agency anticipating a 45% spike in delays for this summer.

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