On Thursday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will meet with airline CEOs, as concerns about operational reliability this summer persist.
According to a source present at the meeting, Buttigieg requested the meeting.
Because they were not permitted to speak publicly about the meeting, the person declined to be identified.
"Secretary Buttigieg requested the meeting because of the high number of cancellations encountered by consumers, particularly during Memorial Day weekend,"
"The secretary has had multiple contacts with industry leaders in the previous few weeks, voicing concerns about reliability and declining customer service."
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Delta Air Lines, Alaska Carriers, Spirit Airlines, and JetBlue are among the airlines that have had operational issues in recent weeks.
In an effort to avoid the operational meltdowns that have become all too regular in the last year, some airlines have proactively cancelled flights weeks in advance.
The Transportation Department has promoted consumer protection and increased competitiveness under the Biden administration.
According to the source, all mainline and regional airlines would be represented at the meeting.
The meeting comes little over a week after the chairman of the industry's lobbying group, Airlines for America, wrote to Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, and Edward Markey, D-Massachusetts, blaming the Federal Aviation Administration for the industry's operational issues.
In a letter received by Reuters, Nicholas Calio wrote, "The FAA must also act to ensure that the air traffic control system is capable of meeting demand."
The FAA and the airline industry have been at odds for months over airspace in Florida, particularly around an air traffic control station in Jacksonville that manages en route traffic over the state's northern half.
In recent years, the facility has experienced some staffing issues, while the state has experienced increased demand, more rocket launches, and stormier weather.
A number of adjustments were agreed to at a conference last month between the FAA and airline industry partners, including expanding the authorised staffing at the facility, known as the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center, and creating a "playbook" to give consistency to the operation.
Despite the airline industry's complaints, the increase in irregular operations comes as U.S. airlines struggle to get back to normal following cuts imposed during the pandemic's worst days.
While air traffic control issues have contributed to flight delays, certain recent flight delays have lasted far longer than the weather or other factors that regularly affect air traffic control.
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