While markets receiving scheduled air services have declined since 2000, nowhere is the impact greater than in the nation's small communities, according to a report issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of the Inspector General (OIG). In addition, flights to and from small communities suffered greater consequences from delays or cancellations simply by virtue of the fact that passengers have few alternatives, short of driving, which has an extremely negative impact on passenger confidence in small community air service.

The report was developed in response to a request by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which has grown increasingly concerned about limited flight options for their constituents. The committee also was concerned that passengers at small airports may experience more acute travel disruptions. Small airports account for 87 percent (450) of airports with scheduled service, and flights to and from them account for roughly 7,400 scheduled flights per day, or roughly 25 percent of scheduled domestic service.

Scheduled flights at small communities were down 17 percent in the first three months of 2006 from the same period in 2000 compared to only five percent at larger communities with medium and large hubs, according to the report. The findings mirror a BACK Aviation Solutions report concluding that nonstop routes served by turboprops have dropped by 58 percent since 1996 and departures have fallen 69 percent. (RAN, April 3)

While the IG's analysis revealed that cancellations and delays of flights into five large hub airports were essentially the same as those for the 14 small communities that were part of the study, both the length of delays and cancellation rates were higher for small communities. In addition, the IG found that short-haul flights were more likely to be cancelled than medium-haul or long-haul flights.

The IG attributed the cancellation rates in smaller communities to differences between aircraft capability or the navigational aids available at local airports, as well as airline operating methods that may not provide for spare aircraft and crews to serve them. It also suggested FAA decisions regarding the use of traffic management techniques and airline priorities used in making flight decisions in an era of aviation constraints played a role, but said it was unclear how much of a role.

Smaller communities experienced longer delays, ranging from four to 10 minutes or seven to 18 percent. Cancellation rates were higher in eight of the 14 small community city- pairs than at medium and large hubs, according to the report, which studied markets in Arkansas, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia.