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US airlines set new records in first half of 2012

14 Aug 2012

The United States' transportation department has released figures showing that the country's airlines set new records during the first half of 2012 for on-time performance, the fewest long tarmac delays and the lowest rates of cancellation and mishandled baggage.

According to the latest Air Travel Consumer Report, the 15 largest American carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 83.7% in the first six months of the year, the highest mark on record for the January to June period.

The 1.1% cancellation rate was also the lowest measured in the 18 years the department has collected comparable data.

Only four tarmac delays of longer than three hours occurred on US domestic flights in the first half of the year.

Welcoming the figures, Roger Dow, president and chief executive of the US Travel Association, said: 'Improved on-time performance for airlines is good news for business and leisure travellers and we applaud the airlines for this accomplishment.

'But it's just one step towards improving the overall air travel experience.'

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