Airlines' On-time Performance Improves In March

HARRY R. WEBER

ATLANTA (AP) — U.S. airlines' on-time performance and baggage handling improved in March compared with a year ago, but was worse than in February of this year, government data released Tuesday shows. The rate of cancellations and number of complaints to the government was lower year-over year, but higher than in February.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines, a unit of St. George, Utah-based SkyWest Inc. and a feeder carrier for Delta Air Lines Inc., had the worst on-time performance in March, while Hawaiian Airlines had the best on-time performance in the month.

The DOT's Bureau of Transportation Statistics said the 19 carriers reporting on-time performance recorded an overall on-time arrival rate of 78.4 percent in March, better than the 71.6-percent on-time rate of March 2008 but down from the 82.6 percent recorded in February of this year. ...