At least 14,000 domestic flights were canceled or delayed in the United States this holiday weekend, leaving thousands of passengers stranded in part due to airline and ground staff problems.
More than 900 flights were canceled on Sunday alone. Delta was one of the most canceled airlines, with at least 200 flights landed.
“A variety of factors continue to affect our operations, including problems with air traffic control, weather, and unscheduled absences in some workgroups. Canceling a flight is always our last resort. We sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience with their travel plans, ”said a Delta airline spokesman in a statement.
Since early June, U.S. airports have received an average of 2.2 million passengers each day.
Amid the cancellations, Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg met with airline executives on Friday.
Buttigieg advises airlines to meet their flight schedules and hire more customer service workers. He said if they do not meet these requirements on the weekend of July 4, the department could impose fines on airlines.
The day after the meeting with the airline leaders, his own flight was canceled. Buttigieg was forced to drive from Washington DC to New York.
CBS News chief travel adviser Peter Greenberg said airlines need to hire more in all departments to avoid further cancellations.
“You can hire so many customer service agents. You mean, ‘I’m sorry,’ but if you don’t fix the root issues, the apology will continue,” Elise Preston of CBS News said. “You have to be able to find pilots. There’s a shortage. You have to be able to find people working under the wing: ground handlers, baggage handlers.”
Travel experts recommend that travelers book the first flight to avoid cancellations. Due to the increase in travel in the summer, the Transportation Security Administration recommends that travelers arrive at least three hours before departure.