At the end of Tuesday night since Sunday American Airlines had 1,144 cancellations and 2,532 delays. Spirit Airlines had 857 cancellations and 656 delays. Now remember Spirit has a far smaller network than that of American. For American that equated to 9 per cent of schedule cancellation and for Spirit it was 43 per cent of its schedule network of cancellations. Wednesday today not any better specially as Austin Texas not one flight operational by Spirit Airlines!

Earlier this summer American Airlines made note and decided to change it schedule by cutting back on flights. Woes began with weather delays Sunday out of Dallas Fort Worth. A perfect storm making for nightmare of cancellations and delays for passengers. Spirit Airlines at first made statement that weather was to do with their troubles. Since then, they have stated its more than that as an operational difficulties. This is not the first time we have all seen and experienced this with both airlines.

Oversight of operational issues should not have come to this where people are left stranded. People missing out on vacations or getting back to work. Yet nothing but today other than were sorry from Spirit Airlines. They say they cancelled half of all their flight schedule for a fourth day in a row to re-boot their operations. So, who suffers, the paying public.

Other airlines like the new Breeze Airways noticed they are heading for a pitfall with the late deliveries of aircraft, so they have scaled back to adjust. Flair Airlines had and will have more growing pains. A few weekends past thy had switched off the customer service phones to play catch up. Other airlines have seen the shortfalls for this summer and adjusted accordingly. Some airlines have hiked up prices so high we all can’t afford to fly you. Yes, other challenges do arise like a shortage of fuel at some geographical areas and higher jet fuel prices.

One thing you all need to learn is from Canada as they now have passenger rights for which the US does not currently regarding delays and cancellation. Even lost bags situations no airline in the US is legally tied by the government. So, with that said there be a fall out which at the end of the day we all pay the price.

One thing can be said is in the fire service we always learn to adapt and change at a moment’s notice. On a fire scene you may have to change from an offensive to defensive mode when attacking a fire. In many cases when you’re on a fire scene or a tactical rescue you may have to change a plan. Making the right decision is always essential. From airport to airline operations, it is complex, and we get it having worked a few major airports. So this week even flight crews are severely affected by these events at both airlines.

Source Fire and Aviation TV 08/04/21