Feds probing airline’s holiday problems
US transportation officials are conducting a probe into the holiday air travel mess at US Airways and Delta Air Lines’ Comair unit that left thousands of passengers stranded and others without luggage.
The two airlines attributed the malfunctions to a combination of bad weather, computer problems and unexpected staff storages.
Bruce Lakefield, US Airways president and CEO, blasted employees who were believed to call in sick as a form of protest. He said:
“Let’s not forget who pays our salaries: our customers.”
Mr Lakefield said nearly three time as many flight attendants called in sick than normally do. He said the staff shortage made it impossible to overcome the winter storms, which led to hundreds of cancelled flights and thousands of undelivered bags.
By mid-week, US Airways said normal flight operations were underway.
Delta Connection carrier Comair said it hoped to return to its full schedule of flights by now. A computer system breakdown was blamed for a cancellation of all flights Christmas day.
Airline ticket buyers who want to change their itinerary because of Comair flight cancellations from 25-31 December can make changes without penalty or additional fees if they rebook and travel by 15 May, the airline said.
Comair blamed its problems on a combination of an overwhelmed computer system and winter storms.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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