Buttigieg calls meeting of airline CEOs as operational issues persist
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will meet with airline CEOs on Thursday as concerns persist about operational reliability this summer.
The meeting comes at Buttigieg's request, a source attending the meeting told TPG. The person declined to be identified because they were not authorized to talk publicly about the meeting.
"Secretary Buttigieg asked for the meeting because of the high rate of cancellations consumers have experienced, especially during Memorial Day weekend," the source told TPG. "During the last few weeks, the secretary has had several conversations with industry leaders expressing concerns about reliability and deteriorating customer service."
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter
In recent weeks, a number of airlines have faced operational snafus, including Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, Spirit Airlines and JetBlue. Some airlines have proactively canceled flights weeks in advance in an effort to avoid operational meltdowns that have become commonplace in the past year.
Under the Biden administration, the Transportation Department has prioritized consumer protection and increasing competition.
All mainline and regional airlines will be represented at the meeting, the source said.
The meeting comes a little under a week after the head of the industry's lobbying group, Airlines for America, sent a letter to Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, and Edward Markey, D-Massachusetts, pointing the finger at the Federal Aviation Administration as a cause of the industry's operational problems.
"The FAA must also work to ensure that the air traffic control system is capable of meeting demand," Nicholas Calio wrote in a letter that was obtained by Reuters.
More: FAA pledges to work with airlines to fix Florida’s air traffic delays
For months, there has been tension between the FAA and the airline industry over airspace in Florida, particularly surrounding an air traffic control facility near Jacksonville that handles en route traffic over the northern part of the state. That facility has seen some staffing issues, while the state has seen increased demand, more rocket launches and stormier weather in recent years. At a meeting last month between the FAA and airline industry stakeholders, a number of changes were agreed to, including increasing the staffing that's authorized at the facility, known as the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center, and creating a "playbook" to add predictability to the operation.
Despite the airline industry's complaint, however, the surge in irregular operations comes as U.S. airlines have wobbled in their attempt to return to normal following cuts made during the depths of the pandemic. While air traffic control constraints have contributed to flight disruptions, some recent flight disruptions have persisted long beyond weather or other specific events that typically affect air traffic control.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
10X | Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site |
5X | Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas |
1X | Earn 1x points on all other purchases |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The revamped Wander Card from Credit One Bank earns cardmembers up to 10 points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases. With no foreign transaction fees, the card is also great for international travel. However, points earned from this card can only be used at a fixed value, so it may not be the best option for those striving to get maximum value from their rewards.Pros
- This card has no foreign transaction fees and earns up to 10 points per dollar on travel purchases through the Credit One Bank travel partner site.
Cons
- While cardholders can earn a significant amount of points on travel purchases, there isn't any way to redeem points from the Wander Card for maximum value (beyond 1 cent per point).
- Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days and redeem for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travel
- Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel site
- Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
- Earn 1x points on all other purchases
- Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
- With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
- If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
10X | Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site |
5X | Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas |
1X | Earn 1x points on all other purchases |
Intro Offer
Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days and redeem for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travelEarn 10,000 Bonus PointsAnnual Fee
$95Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Fair/Good
Why We Chose It
The revamped Wander Card from Credit One Bank earns cardmembers up to 10 points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases. With no foreign transaction fees, the card is also great for international travel. However, points earned from this card can only be used at a fixed value, so it may not be the best option for those striving to get maximum value from their rewards.Pros
- This card has no foreign transaction fees and earns up to 10 points per dollar on travel purchases through the Credit One Bank travel partner site.
Cons
- While cardholders can earn a significant amount of points on travel purchases, there isn't any way to redeem points from the Wander Card for maximum value (beyond 1 cent per point).
- Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days and redeem for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travel
- Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel site
- Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
- Earn 1x points on all other purchases
- Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
- With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
- If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
- See Rates & Fees