U.S. airlines released July data Tuesday for on-time arrivals, with 77.6 percent pulling up to the gate within 14 minutes of schedule.
It was the best showing for July since 2003, when the airlines reported 79.7 percent of flights arriving on time.
The U.S. Department of Transportation report showed that 77 percent of Denver International Airport’s flights arrived on time in July.
Hawaiian Airlines was tops among 19 air carriers, with 93.6 percent of its flights on time; Comair was the worst, with 63.9 percent on time.
Southwest, DIA’s third-largest carrier, was fourth, with 80.69 percent. DIA’s largest airline, United, was sixth with 79.60 percent, and DIA’s second-largest, Frontier, was 14th at 74.19 percent.
For the first seven months of 2009, Southwest was second in on-time arrival with 83.08 percent. United was eighth at 79.15 percent, and Frontier was 13th at 76.94 percent.
Causes of delays were, in order: late aircraft, the national aviation system, the air carrier, cancellation, extreme weather, diversions and security.
Fewer travelers filed complaints in July compared with July 2008. Flight problems such as cancellations, delays and missed connections topped the list, followed by mishandled bags, ticketing and customer service. Three animals died in airline care, and two were hurt, though probes indicated the carrier wasn’t the cause.
Separate data released by airlines Tuesday showed a decline in August traffic.
Preliminary August traffic data show Frontier’s revenue passenger miles decreased 10.3 percent and capacity was down 13.8 percent from August 2008.
United said its August revenue passenger miles dropped 3.3 percent and that capacity decreased 6.2 percent between August 2008 and August 2009.
Southwest had a 1 percent increase in revenue passenger miles, and capacity was down 6.1 percent year over year.
Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com
