BTS Home > Press Releases > 2000

Secretary Slater Releases BTS Winter Holiday Travel Information and Warns Air Travelers to Allow Extra Time in Preparation

Contact BTS 20-00 Dave Smallen 202-366-5568

Friday, December 8, 2000 -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today cautioned air travelers to allow extra time to travel during the winter holiday season as he released a report showing that during the 1999 winter holiday season, the greatest number of flight delays took place on the days leading up to Christmas Eve.

The analysis was prepared by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

"Consistent with President Clinton and Vice President Gore's commitment to 'put people first,' the U.S. Department of Transportation is undertaking a broad effort to improve customer service and information flow for air travelers," Secretary Slater said. "Improving customer service ranks second only to safety here at DOT, and the information from BTS will help travelers understand past winter holiday travel patterns so they can properly prepare for this winter holiday."

The BTS analysis found the following about winter holiday travel in 1999:

	Flights delayed more than one-half hour	Flights delayed more than one hour
Monday, Dec. 20	15.7 %	6.7%
Tuesday, Dec. 21	11.8%	3.8%
Wednesday, Dec. 22	17.7%	6.3%
Thursday, Dec. 23	17.6%	7.6%
Friday, Dec. 24	5.7%	1.9%
Saturday, Dec. 25	2.9%	1.1%
Sunday, Dec. 26	8.1%	3.5%
Monday, Dec. 27	12.0%	3.9%

"BTS is making this information on the performance of the air travel system available to help travelers who are preparing for the winter holiday season, " Dr. Ashish Sen, BTS Director, said. "We are always seeking ways to serve the public. I welcome any suggestions."

Detailed information on overall delays, cancellations and diversions, the performance of the largest U.S. airlines and delays at the nation's 29 most heavily traveled airports can be found on the BTS website at www.bts.gov.

Travelers should be aware that previous flight delay patterns may not be repeated during this winter holiday season and that the number and duration of delayed flights is highly dependent on weather conditions.