Airlines' on-time performance improves By TREBOR BANSTETTER Star-Telegram Staff Writer It may be the lone bright spot at the airport these days: After harried passengers navigate security checkpoints, remove shoes for inspection and hand over toenail clippers, airplanes are more likely to actually be at the gate, ready to take off. In addition, travelers are less likely to have their baggage lost, are being bumped from flights less frequently, and are lodging fewer complaints overall against the airlines, according to federal transportation statistics. Airline analysts credit much of these improvements to the fact that most air carriers have cut their schedules back this year. Fewer flights means air traffic runs more smoothly, fewer bags are tossed onto the wrong planes, and reservations, ticketing and boarding is less likely to be fouled up. In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration upgraded and streamlined the air traffic system to keep airplanes moving after gridlock sparked an epidemic of delays in 2000. But several airlines, including American, Delta and United, say they have also used a variety of initiatives, ranging from automated check-in to better communications, to reduce delays and other travel snafus. "There has been an ongoing focus on getting those planes out on time," said Joe Hopkins, a spokesman for United, which posted the fewest delays in the history of the airline in September. "We understand that it's very important." The improvement at Fort Worth-based American, in particular, has been significant. After several years of being among the worst in the industry, the carrier's on-time performance has risen above the middle, and for a few months near the top, of the pack this year. "Running an on-time airline...gives us credibility and respect, and another reason to hold our heads up high even when stock market jitters play havoc with our stock price," Don Carty, American's chairman and chief executive, crowed in a recent message to employees. For example, in September, nearly 90 percent of American's planes arrived on time. Compare that to 2000, when just 73 percent of American's flights, on average, landed on time. American was beaten by Continental, Northwest, TWA, Delta and Southwest that year. The improvements "are a big deal, and people notice," said Kevin Mitchell, chairman of the Business Travel Coalition, an industry group that represents corporate travel departments and business travelers. "You have increased confidence today going through an airport knowing your plane is going to be there and will leave on time." American began looking closely at its on-time results in 2000, said Ralph Richardi, the airline's senior vice president of customer service. "We took our schedule and our data every month and looked where we were taking delays and cancellations," he said. "We kept drilling down and trying to identify the problems and trends so we could do something about it." American implemented a variety of changes, Richardi said, that have cut back on delays. They include better communication between flight crews and mechanics on the ground when airplanes pull in; boarding passengers in groups so they are seated faster; simplifying the fleet so that aircraft can be replaced more easily; and smoothing schedules at American's Chicago hub to reduce congestion. And Richardi pointed out that getting flights out on time ultimately saves money for the airline. "It's cheaper for us when we're on time," he said. "Delays mean overtime and other costs, and frankly, we lose customers."