Major US airlines reported more than 25 percent of all flights arrived late in the first half of the year and local airports experienced even worse results.
Of the country’s 32 major airports, La Guardia had the fewest on-time arrivals with just 57.5 percent in the first six months of 2008. Newark took second to last place with only 60 percent of its flights arriving on time.
But Kennedy showed some improvement from last year.
Just over 70 percent of flights arrived on time this year, compared to just under 60 percent in the first six months of 2007.
Despite 6 million fewer people choosing to fly the friendly skies this year, the on-time results are the second worst in 14 years.
The figures were released just as the US Department of Transportation announced it would auction off a five-year lease on a slot at Newark Airport on Sept. 3. The Port Authority, however, said it would refuse to allow the any purchaser to use its facilities.
“This auction will allow us to implement market mechanisms on a small scale, gauge interest and determine a slot’s market value,” Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said.
The Port Authority fired back in a statement: “We will continue to block any effort by the DOT and FAA to implement this auction system at our airports.”