Low-Cost Airfare May Mean Longer Delays

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2005 — -- In anticipation of what may be one of the busiest travel seasons on record, the nation's top aviation regulator today warned of added delays and headaches at the U.S. airports.

"Am I concerned about the fact that our system is just about at capacity and all the flights are full? Yeah, it's going to be a real challenge this summer, there's no question about it," said Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Marion Blakey.

This summer, 200 million passengers are expected to fly -- up 4 percent from last year -- according to the Department of Transportation. Already this year, one in every four flights is delayed with wait times averaging 52 minutes.

The biggest problems, according to the DOT, are expected at Atlanta; Philadelphia; New York's LaGuardia; Newark, N.J.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and Washington's Dulles Airport.

Low-cost air carriers are one key reason for the delays. The companies, which add flights and lower fares, are encouraging more people to fly.

For example, when Southwest Airlines started servicing Philadelphia and began flying to Providence, R.I., the one-way fare dropped from $328 to $54. The number of passengers skyrocketed in three months from 10,000 to more than 100,000, according to the DOT.

At Dulles Airport, Independence Air began operating as a low-cost carrier a year ago.

"We're looking forward to excellent passenger traffic," said Rick DeLisi, Independence Air's director of corporate communications. "Lots of people are looking to fly the new low-fare airlines."