Flight disruptions mounted Tuesday as severe storms and staffing issues kicked off a rocky start to summer.
last spring and summer, which prompted carriers to trim their overambitious schedules. But the industry struggled to recover this past weekend from a series of thunderstorms that didn't let up for days.
Thunderstorms are difficult for airlines because they can form with less warning than other major weather obstacles like winter storms or hurricanes. Rolling delays could force crews to reach federally mandated workday limits and further worsen disruptions.About 30,000 flights have arrived late since Saturday, FlightAware data showed, with cancellation rates from Saturday through Monday up more than three times the average for the year.
Some airline executives have also blamed some of the disruptions on shortages of air traffic controllers.CEO Scott Kirby told staff on Monday that"the FAA frankly failed us this weekend." He said that during Saturday's storms the FAA reduced arrival rates by 40% and departures by 75% at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, one of the airline's biggest hubs.
"It led to massive delays, cancellations, diversions, as well as crews and aircraft out of position," Kirby wrote in a staff note, which was seen by CNBC."And that put everyone behind the eight ball when weather actually did hit on Sunday and was further compounded by FAA staffing shortages Sunday evening."
An FAA spokesman said in a statement,"We will always collaborate with anyone seriously willing to join us to solve a problem."derailed hiring and training of new air traffic controllers, and the agency is now trying to catch up.
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