FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 3, 1998
Contact: Bill Mosley
Tel.: (202) 366-5571
DOT 22-98
DOT ISSUES AIRLINE ON-TIME,
BAGGAGE, COMPLAINT DATA FOR 1997
The Department of Transportation today released its monthly Air Travel Consumer Report, which contains information on airline on-time performance, mishandled baggage and consumer complaints for December 1997 and cumulative data for last year.
According to the report, the 10 largest U.S. carriers posted an on-time arrival record of 77.7 percent in 1997, up from 74.5 percent the previous year. In December 1997, the carriers posted on-time arrivals 73.5 percent of the time, compared to 78.2 percent in November.
The carriers posted a mishandled baggage rate of 4.96 complaints per 1,000 passengers last year, compared to 1996's rate of 5.30. December’s mark was 6.53, not as good as November’s 4.66 rate.
Consumers filed 7,665 complaints about airline service with the department in 1997, 7 percent above 1996's total of 7,109. A total of 715 complaints were recorded in December, almost 30 percent above the 504 tallied in November.
Consumers may file their complaints with the Aviation Consumer Protection Division, U.S. Department of Transportation, C-75, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Room 4107, Washington, D.C. 20590.
The department reminded consumers who want on-time performance data for specific flights to call their airline ticket offices or their travel agents. This information is available on the computerized reservation systems used by these agents.
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