Air traffic delays

In Europe in July 1989, almost 30% of international short- and medium-haul departures were more than 15 minutes late costing the industry about $5 billion for additional fuel and other expenses. The total 54,000 hours of delays logged for 1992 was ascribed mainly to the overloaded European air traffic control system. According to the European Association of European Airlines, two-thirds of late departures and arrivals are due to faults in airport infrastructure and air traffic control. American airlines cause an average of 2,000 hours a day in delays for passengers, at a loss of $1 billion a year.