Just the Facts Please: DOT Data Proves that 3 Hour Rule is Working for Passengers

Overall Tarmac Strandings Down Dramatically from a Year Ago, Threats of Mass Cancellations in September a Red Herring

NAPA, Calif., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- FlyersRights.org today pointed to the latest official Department of Transportation data to refute claims by airlines that the 3 Hour Rule is causing cancellations and not helping passengers. While the new consumer protections have only been in place since April, it is clear that these rules are working as intended, to protect passengers.

According to the latest data, in 2009 there were 535 tarmac delays of over 3 hours compared to the same 5 month period in 2010 where we've seen only 12. To see the latest DOT data: http://airconsumer.dot.gov/reports/index.htm.

"3 hour tarmac strandings are nearly eliminated because of the new rule, and the number of cancellations is actually down from the 15-year September average of 2.15% (excluding 2001 which saw an extreme jump in cancellations) to .90% in September of 2010...that's 1.25 percentage points below the September average," said Kate Hanni, Founder of FlyersRights.org.

"Our toll free hotline is getting ZERO complaint calls from folks stuck on the tarmac on domestic flights, and ZERO complaint calls from flights stuck on the tarmac that are subsequently cancelled."

"People realize that their flights, when cancelled, are cancelled because the airlines cannot get them off of the ground...not because of the three hour rule!"

You do the math: Following link is a Ranking of Airline Performance since 1995: http://www.flyersrights.org/table.pdf

"Though the airlines are still engaged in a massive effort to subvert the rule and the facts of its implementation, the real data does not lie," added Hanni. "Though many airlines have fought this rule tooth and nail and continue to do so, they are to be congratulated on improving conditions for passengers and following the law."

FlyersRights.org is the only passengers rights group with a full time 24/7 hotline and volunteers ready to help passengers for free around the clock with any type of airline issue. 1-877-359-3776 1-877-flyers-6.

Contact: Kate Hanni (707)337-0328

SOURCE FlyersRights.org