Flight delays for domestic flights in the U.S. cost passengers $16.7 billion in 2007, while delays weighed down the economy to the tune of $32.9 billion, according to a University of California, Berkeley study released this week.
The FAA-commissioned report found that passengers had to pony up $16.7 billion to cover costs such as food, hotel and accommodation, lost time, and missed connections as a result of delayed flights.
Delays were also detrimental to airlines, which lost a total of $8.3 billion in added expenses including fuel, crew, and maintenance.
The study also found that delays diminished flight demand by $3.9 billion and hurt business in other sectors, reducing the nationwide gross domestic product (GDP) by $4 billion.
“Flight delay is a serious and widespread problem that places a significant strain on the U.S. air travel system and its customers,” said Mark Hansen, lead researcher of the study and professor of civil and environmental engineering at U.C. Berkeley, in a statement.
The FAA-commissioned report found that passengers had to pony up $16.7 billion to cover costs such as food, hotel and accommodation, lost time, and missed connections as a result of delayed flights.
Delays were also detrimental to airlines, which lost a total of $8.3 billion in added expenses including fuel, crew, and maintenance.
The study also found that delays diminished flight demand by $3.9 billion and hurt business in other sectors, reducing the nationwide gross domestic product (GDP) by $4 billion.
“Flight delay is a serious and widespread problem that places a significant strain on the U.S. air travel system and its customers,” said Mark Hansen, lead researcher of the study and professor of civil and environmental engineering at U.C. Berkeley, in a statement.
