Editorial: Break the logjam at airports

Friday, Sept. 10, 1999 | 9:28 a.m.

There has been considerable finger-pointing in the wake of a significant spike in the number of air traffic delays this summer. Over the past few months airlines have contended that a 34 percent increase in flight delays can be attributed to the Federal Aviation Administration, which the airlines believe has a subpar traffic control system and antiquated flight-control practices. In response, air traffic controllers said Wednesday that the real reason for the increase is the airlines themselves, asserting that the airlines scheduled too many flights during peak travel times.

So who should exasperated air travelers believe? The U.S. Department of Transportation did admit this month that delays can be attributed to the FAA's air traffic control system and not just to the airlines. Bad weather also can play a role in delays. But air traffic controllers make a compelling case that the airlines assume the chief responsibility for the crowded skies. For instance, using flight log information, they noted a July 29 logjam around 6 p.m. at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. The capacity for that airport during that time frame was just 35 flights, yet the airlines scheduled 57 takeoffs and landings, well over capacity. Air traffic controllers noted similar problems at other busy airports, including those in Minneapolis and Atlanta. "It's like trying to cram 10 pounds of sand into a five-pound bag," Randy Schwartz, executive vice president o f the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, told the Associated Press.

Consumers increasingly are frustrated by delays. The Department of Transportation released statistics Wednesday that showed air travelers registered 2,485 complaints about airline service in July, an 87 percent increase over June. In addition, it was the highest level recorded in more than 10 years. Not surprisingly the most frequent grievance involved flight problems -- consumers filed 1,013 complaints regarding delays, cancellations and missed connections -- which can be tied to airlines scheduling too many flights. This is more than an annoyance, though. Even more important are the safety considerations that bumper-to-bumper air traffic poses. The FAA, which frequently seems more a booster than a regulator of the airlines, should initiate an investigation to see whether airlines are engaging in a practice that is helping cause airports to burst at the s eams.