US flight cancellations, delays this year surpass 2019 levels

Flight cancellations and delays by US airlines in the first seven months of the year have surpassed the comparable 2019 period, data showed, as staff shortages and adverse weather pummel operations. US-based carriers scrapped 128,934 flights from January to July, up about 11% from pre-pandemic levels, according to data from flight-tracking website FlightAware. Flight delays have also reached nearly a million this year. American Airlines Group canceled 19,717 flights, the most among big US carriers, followed by Southwest at 17,381 flights. Delta reported the least cancellations at roughly 10,000 flights. Airlines have faced a turbulent year, attracting intense regulatory scrutiny as their capacity to run flights was challenged by a shortage of pilots and unexpected storms. Carriers have raised fares to cater to a surge in domestic travel that is fast approaching pre-pandemic levels, but have been unable to fly all the passengers they book, drawing ire from lawmakers.<br/>