By permitting Delta Air Lines to fly fewer flights, the Federal Aviation Administration has just given the airline a significant reprieve.
FAA slot regulations are the subject of contention.
The Atlanta-based airline maintains hub operations at two airports in New York, LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), both of which have FAA slot controls. It also maintains a size able presence at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), located just outside of Washington, D.C.
According to FAA regulations, a carrier's allotted slots must be used at least 80% of the time before they are reassigned.
Late in June, Delta informed the FAA in a document that it was experiencing problems operating 80% of the flights for which it had slots at these slot-controlled airports.
It cited four causes: LGA and JFK airport construction, air traffic control delays, bad weather, and a substantial number of pilot and flight attendant sickouts brought on by COVID-19.
The only reason the FAA provided the respite was due to the sickouts.
According to data from Delta, flight attendant sickouts increased by 23% and pilot sickouts rose by 45% in May 2022 compared to May 2019.
For pilots, that figure rose from June 2019 to June 2022, reaching 50%.
The FAA will classify Delta's canceled flights as ones that had been flown between June 1 and September 5 at the three airports as a result of the relief.
According to Flight Aware, 2,889 mainline Delta flights—or 3.3% of the airline's scheduled flights—were canceled in June.
With 943 mainline flights canceled in July, or 1% of Delta's schedule, this statistic dramatically improved.
The FAA's slot relief order also covers Delta Connection flights, which are not included in those numbers.
In a letter to Peter Carter, Delta's chief legal officer, the FAA stated that it "believes it is appropriate to offer relief to enable chances for Delta to make schedule adjustments or cutbacks and to adjust resources and staff assignments as required at these essential locations."
The Department and FAA propose that Delta restrict the number of flights that are on sale to eliminate jarring, last-minute cancellations.
The other three arguments put forth by Delta were rejected by the FAA.
According to the statement, JFK construction at Terminal 4 has "little impact" and is under Delta's control while LaGuardia development is almost finished.
In addition, the government stated that cancellations brought on by bad weather and ATC delays "do not fulfill the appropriate waiver criteria."
Between the start of the COVID-19 epidemic in March 2020 and October 2021, all domestic slot usage regulations were nullified.
Due to the slower recovery of international air travel than domestic air travel, international slot utilization limits are nevertheless exempted until October 29.
Airlines place a high value on slots because they give them access to popular airports.
It's probable that Delta would have had to surrender some slots if the FAA had not largely decided in its favor. This may have threatened to damage the airline's dominant position at LGA and JFK, where Delta is the largest carrier.
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