Five U.S. flights had tarmac delays of more than three hours in May, the first full month with a new federal rule that carries steep fines if airlines strand passengers on planes.
Four of the delayed flights were operated by United Airlines and were headed to Denver on May 26, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation report released Thursday. The fifth was a Delta flight May 28 from Atlanta to Dallas-Fort Worth.
Since April 29, passengers have had the right to get off a plane if it sits on the tarmac for three hours. The fine is up to $27,500 per passenger.
There were 35 three-hour tarmac delays in May 2009.
The United delays ranged from one minute over three hours to four hours, 41 minutes. The four flights were from San Francisco; Billings, Mont.; Seattle; and San Diego.
United officials said thunderstorms and a ground stop at Denver International Airport diverted the flights to Colorado Springs, where weather caused more delay.
“All customers were offered the opportunity to exit the plane and were provided snacks and water as we waited for the weather to improve and air traffic control clearance to safely continue on to Denver,” a United statement said.
United spokesman Mike Trevino said it was his understanding that a violation occurs if passengers are not allowed to get off the plane.
Denver weather records for May 26 show there were tornado watches and warnings in the afternoon and evening.
A thunderstorm dropped 6 inches of hail on the north metro area. DIA’s public-address system announced about 2 p.m. that people should move away from windows and go to restrooms that also serve as tornado shelters.
Nearly 80 percent of flights by U.S. airlines arrived on time in May, the federal report said. Of DIA’s three largest carriers, United’s on-time rate was 84.8 percent; Frontier, 80.2 percent; and Southwest, 80.3 percent.
Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com
