Roberta Aguirre
Delays at airports are often due to a multitude of factors, such as staffing shortages, increased air traffic, unpredictable weather, tech glitches, and infrastructure upgrades. According to data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, nearly 22% of flights in the U.S. were delayed or canceled in 2024. Some of the most delayed airports in the U.S. include San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Newark Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Miami International Airport, and Orlando International Airport. These airports face challenges due to factors such as high traffic volume, congested airspace, and infrastructure limitations, contributing to frequent delays and disruptions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airports with huge delays | SFO, Newark Airport, Boston Logan, Austin-Bergstrom, Miami International, MCO, San Diego Airport, Laguardia Airport, Philadelphia International |
| Reasons for delays | Staffing shortages, increased air traffic, unpredictable weather, tech glitches, infrastructure upgrades, National Aviation System issues, runway layout, congestion |
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What You'll Learn
Staffing shortages
Airlines have faced significant challenges in recent years, with the pandemic causing a reduction in staff and a surge in post-pandemic travel causing record numbers at airports. This has led to an increase in congestion and delays. Airports, particularly those with a high volume of traffic, are struggling to manage the number of passengers with reduced staff. This is impacting everything from check-in times to security wait times.
The knock-on effect of this is that fewer staff are available to manage flights and operations, causing delays. This is particularly true for ground crew, who are responsible for a number of time-critical tasks such as baggage handling, aircraft turnaround, and passenger boarding. With fewer ground crew staff, these processes are taking longer, leading to delays in departure times.
Additionally, there is a notable pilot shortage, which is causing significant disruption. With fewer pilots available, airlines are struggling to operate their full schedules, leading to flight cancellations and delays. This is a particularly challenging issue, as it takes a significant amount of time and resources to train new pilots.
The impact of these staffing shortages is being felt across the industry, with passengers experiencing longer wait times and more frequent delays and cancellations. It is important for passengers to be aware of these issues and plan accordingly, allowing extra time for connections and staying updated on their flight status.
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Unpredictable weather
Thunderstorms, for instance, can cause updrafts, downdrafts, and severe turbulence, posing significant dangers to aircraft. When unexpected thunderstorms occur, pilots may opt to take alternative routes, leading to delays and potentially overcrowded airspace. In extreme weather conditions, airlines may ground all flights, especially during lightning storms, to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Snow and ice accumulation on runways can create slippery conditions, making it challenging for pilots to control the aircraft during landing. Airports often implement snow and ice clearance procedures to mitigate these issues, but freezing rain can still pose challenges due to the rapid buildup of ice on aircraft surfaces.
Dense fog and heavy rain can also lead to air delays or cancellations due to reduced visibility, which is crucial during takeoff and landing. Low-visibility conditions may prompt air traffic controllers to enact Low Visibility Procedures (LVPs) to ensure safe operations.
The impact of unpredictable weather on airport delays can vary across different geographical areas. For instance, the New York City area airports of Newark, LaGuardia, and Kennedy experienced the highest combined weather-related delays in the country in 2022, with nearly 30,000 significant delays. Winter weather, in particular, can cause significant disruptions, with peaks in weather delays observed in November, March, and October.
To manage weather-related delays effectively, airports and airlines employ various strategies. These include constant monitoring of weather conditions, ground delay programs, rerouting flights to alternate airports, and clear and frequent communication with passengers. While unpredictable weather can pose challenges, implementing proactive measures helps minimize the impact on travel experiences.
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Tech issues
While there are many factors that can cause flight delays, tech issues are a significant contributor. In July 2024, a global IT outage caused significant disruptions across the travel industry, affecting airports worldwide. This outage was caused by a software update at CrowdStrike, an Austin-based cybersecurity firm, which rendered many computer systems unusable. As a result, more than 8,800 flights were delayed in the US alone, with over 5,100 flights canceled globally, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. This accounted for 4.6% of all scheduled flights.
The impact of the outage extended beyond airports, impacting rail travel, hotels, and even theme parks. Additionally, critical systems such as banks and medical facilities also experienced outages. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported that, on the day before the outage, its agents screened over 2.9 million passengers, making it the third busiest day in the agency's history. This surge in passenger volume, combined with the subsequent IT issues, likely contributed to the extensive delays.
While TSA checkpoints were reported to be operating normally during the outage, U.S. Customs and Border Protection noted delays. The cause of these delays was not specified, but it highlights the potential impact of technology on border control processes. The TSA has also previously addressed processing delays related to Security Threat Assessments (STAs) for aviation workers. In June 2021, the TSA posted a bulletin acknowledging increased STA processing times due to the high volume of applications and vetting requirements.
To mitigate these delays, the bulletin advised airport operators to submit complete applications as early as possible and encouraged applicants to enroll or renew at least 60 days in advance. While tech issues, such as the CrowdStrike software update, can cause sudden and widespread disruptions, it's important to note that other factors, such as high traffic volume and infrastructure limitations, also contribute to delays at airports with high congestion, such as Boston Logan and Newark Airport. Nevertheless, the impact of technology on travel operations is significant, and even temporary outages can have cascading effects on the complex ecosystem of travel and related industries.
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Runway layout
While there are many factors that can cause flight delays, runway configuration and layout are crucial aspects of airport performance that can impact delays. The capacity of a runway system and its configuration should be the result of extensive analysis and planning to meet the demands of aircraft movements, surface vehicles, passengers, and freight.
A study by Rachel J. Kennedy, a graduate student at Purdue University, assessed whether runway configurations affect arrival delays. The study reviewed four types of runway configurations:
- Single runways: These consist of one long runway used for both takeoffs and landings. Single runways are common in small regional airports and can handle up to 100 inbound and outbound flights per hour.
- Crossing runways: These feature two or more runways that cross paths, typically used in areas with strong winds and limited expansion space. The advantage is that at least one runway can be operated independently of the wind direction.
- Double runways with varying taxi times: In this configuration, one runway is located close to the terminal, reducing taxi times, while the other runway is farther away and used for takeoffs only. This setup can improve traffic flow and performance.
- Parallel runways: At some airports, parallel runways are placed very close together. During low visibility conditions, only one runway may be used for safety reasons, reducing the airport's capacity and leading to potential delays.
While the specific layout of runways can impact delays, it is important to note that other factors, such as traffic volume, peak hours, and weather conditions, also play a significant role in causing flight delays. Additionally, the impact of runway configuration may vary between smaller and larger airports, as well as military and commercial airports.
As for which U.S. airports experience significant delays, here is some additional information:
- San Francisco (SFO): SFO's parallel runways are only 750 feet apart. During low visibility, only one runway can be used, leading to frequent delays.
- Newark Airport, New Jersey: The airspace around New York City is extremely congested, and delays at Newark Airport are often related to the National Aviation System, heavy traffic volume, and air traffic control issues.
- Boston Logan: This airport faces congestion issues due to its small footprint and a high number of airlines serving over 100 destinations.
- Austin-Bergstrom: With rapid growth, nearly a quarter of flights at Austin-Bergstrom experienced delays in 2024.
- Orlando (MCO): Handling 57.2 million passengers in 2024, MCO had significant delays, with more than a quarter of flights arriving late.
- San Diego: San Diego's airport has only one runway, making it more prone to delays during high traffic volume.
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National Aviation System issues
National Aviation System (NAS) issues are a significant cause of flight delays at some of the United States' busiest airports. NAS issues encompass a broad range of disruptions, including airport operations, heavy traffic volume, and air traffic control problems. These issues can lead to congestion and delays, affecting not only the efficiency of airport operations but also the experience of travellers.
One notable example of an airport impacted by NAS issues is Newark Airport in New Jersey. Newark, located near New York City, experiences congested airspace due to its proximity to one of the nation's busiest metropolitan areas. This congestion contributes to NAS-related delays, affecting a significant number of flights in and out of the airport.
Boston Logan Airport, a major hub serving over 40 airlines and 100 destinations, also faces similar challenges. Despite having the second-smallest footprint among the top 20 major American airports, Logan encounters congestion and NAS-related delays due to its high volume of traffic.
Other airports grappling with NAS issues include San Diego International Airport, which has only one runway, making it more susceptible to delays during high traffic periods or low visibility conditions. Orlando's airport, MCO, the ninth-busiest in the nation, also experiences significant NAS-related delays, with more than a quarter of flights arriving late, according to BTS data.
To address NAS issues and reduce delays, airports are employing various strategies. These include optimising runway layouts, improving air traffic management systems, and implementing technological advancements to streamline operations. Additionally, travellers are advised to stay updated through real-time flight status notifications and are encouraged to plan for potential delays by allowing extra time for connections.
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Frequently asked questions
SFO is the most delayed US airport, with its runway layout causing frequent delays.
There are several causes of TSA delays, including staffing shortages, increased air traffic, unpredictable weather, tech glitches, and infrastructure upgrades.
Newark Airport, Boston Logan, Austin-Bergstrom, Miami International, Orlando, San Diego, LaGuardia Airport, and Philadelphia International airports are also known for significant TSA delays.
Travellers can prepare for potential TSA delays by allowing extra time for connections and staying updated through real-time flight status updates on airline apps.
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