New York (CNN) – Air travel in the United States saw a significant improvement last year, with the cancellation rate falling to its lowest level in at least 10 years.
The Department of Transportation released statistics for 2023 showing that of the 16.3 million flights in the United States, there was an overall cancellation rate of less than 1.2%, which represents “the lowest rate in a decade,” the agency said.
The same figure for 2022 was 2.3%, the second highest number of cancellations in the past 10 years, according to Department for Transport figures. 2014 saw the highest cancellation rate in the past decade, at 2.4%.
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Holiday air travel over the past few weeks has also been “remarkably smooth” with a cancellation rate of just 0.8% between Dec. 17, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2024, the Department of Transportation said, adding that it saw a “record number” of passengers.
This represents a sharp decline from the cancellation rate during a similar time period in 2022, when it was 8.2% due to a massive winter storm that disrupted travelers' plans.
“Thanks to the tireless work of our nation’s aviation safety professionals, millions of travelers were able to fly safely and without interruption last year,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a press release.
Over the past year, airlines have boosted hiring. Employment in this sector is now at its highest levels in more than two decades as travel rebounds after the Covid-19 pandemic and global lockdowns.
In May 2023, the Biden administration also announced a proposal for a new rule that would require airlines to reimburse and cover expenses for customers who experience cancellations or delays.
Despite these rosy numbers, problems continue to plague American aviation, including a persistent shortage of air traffic controllers and outdated technology used by airlines.
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