United Airlines Holdings ( NASDAQ: UAL ) is unhappy with the Federal Aviation Administration, excoriating the agency for exacerbating problems in the industry that include widespread delays and cancellations.
According to Bloomberg, the carrier estimated that half of its delays and three quarters of cancellations in the part four months have been the result of air traffic control and capacity issues.
“The reality is that there are just more flights scheduled industry-wide than the ATC staffing system can handle,” Jon Roitman, United’s chief operations officer, told employees in a letter seen by the outlet . “Until that is resolved, we expect the US aviation system will remain challenged this summer and beyond.”
The letter speaks to a tension evident in relations between air carriers and regulators, especially as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has become increasingly vocal on industry issues.
“People are excited to see family and loved ones this summer, and counting on airlines to get them there,” the Secretary said ahead of the delay-plagued July 4 weekend. “We’re engaging airlines daily to make sure they are ready, and the FAA is doing its part.”
United Airlines ( UAL ), for its part, is raising doubt about the latter claim as its memos question the FAA’s efforts.
Read more on the back and forth blame-game between airlines and regulators as of late .
For further details see:
United Airlines blames FAA for bulk of delays, cancellations - Bloomberg