Pinnacle trailed only Hawaiian and Frontier in providing the best industry on-time performance in September, according to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Air Travel Consumer Report. Indeed, On-time performance reached a higher rate this past September than in either September of last year or in August 2008, Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported the 19 carriers reporting on-time performance recorded an overall on-time arrival rate of 84.9 percent in September, higher than both September 2007’s 81.7 percent and August 2008’s 78.4 percent.

However, Comair and Mesa joined United as posting the lowest on-time rates with Comair Flight 6273 from Cleveland to Atlanta – late 82.76 percent of the time being the most delayed flight in the system in September. American Airlines Flight 1267 from Miami to San Juan, PR – late 86.67 percent of the time.

Cancellations
In September, the carriers canceled 1.8 percent of their scheduled domestic flights, a higher rate than both the 1.1 percent cancellation rate of September 2008 and the 1.6 percent rate posted in August 2008. ExpressJet and American Eagle trailed Continental in posting the highest rate of canceled flights.

Causes of Flight Delays
In September, the carriers filing on-time performance data reported that 5.10 percent of their flights were delayed by aviation system delays, compared to 6.68 percent in August; 3.62 percent by late-arriving aircraft, compared to 6.32 percent in August; 4.02 percent by factors within the airline’s control, such as maintenance or crew problems, compared to 5.82 percent in August; 0.40 percent by extreme weather, compared to 0.82 percent in August; and 0.02 percent for security reasons, compared to 0.04 percent in August.

In September, 37.07 percent of late flights were delayed by weather, up 8.52 percent from September 2007, when 34.16 percent of late flights were delayed by weather, and down 5.82 percent from August when 39.36 percent of late flights were delayed by weather.

Air Travel Consumer Report September 2008
Key On-Time Performance and Flight Cancellation Statistics
Based on Data Filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics by the 19 Reporting Carriers

Highest On-Time Arrival Rates
1. Hawaiian Airlines – 95.1 percent
2. Frontier Airlines – 91.4 percent
3. Pinnacle Airlines – 90.6 percent

Lowest On-Time Arrival Rates
1. Comair – 77.4 percent
2. Mesa Airlines – 78.1 percent
3. United Airlines – 79.8 percent

Highest Rates of Canceled Flights
1. Continental Airlines – 6.1 percent
2. ExpressJet Airlines – 5.9 percent
3. American Eagle Airlines – 2.5 percent

Lowest Rates of Canceled Flights
1. Hawaiian Airlines – 0.2 percent
2. Frontier Airlines – 0.4 percent
3. Northwest Airlines – 0.5 percent