The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced the release of air travel metrics for December 2021 and the calendar year of 2021.
According to the press release, the Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) measures key metrics for air travel including on-time performance, customer complaints, mishandled luggage, mishandled wheelchairs and scooters, complaints received and oversells.
"In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to result in significant changes to airline schedules and operations, the DOT said. "The volume of flights operated in 2021 (6.2 million), although more than 2020, was 78.1% of the volume of flights operated in pre-pandemic 2019 (7.9 million)."
According to the report, total flights operated in December were at 85.2% of pre-pandemic levels and up 45.6% compared to December 2020.
On-time rates and cancellation rates for flights were down from last year but up from pre-pandemic levels. Tarmac delays of three hours or more for 2021 were almost triple the number of delays in 2020, but down from 2019.
In 2021, carriers mishandled approximately 5.1 bags per 1,000 checked, up from 2020's rate of 4.1, but lower than 2019’s rate of 5.9. In 2021, carriers mishandled 1.36% of wheelchairs and scooters, higher than 2020's rate of 1.29%, but lower than 2019's rate of 1.54%.
Complaints received by the DOT was down 51.29% from 2020 but up 225.84% compared to 2019.
