HANOVER TWP., LEHIGH COUNTY, Pa. — Amidst the soaring passenger volumes witnessed by the majority of airlines, Delta finds itself standing alone in a sea of uniqueness as it fails to ride the same wave.
- Lehigh Valley International Airport experienced a 22% increase in passenger traffic in February 2023, while Delta saw a decline of 18% from the previous February.
- Delta's decline in passenger traffic is attributed to slowing business travel and pilot shortages
- To address the staffing crisis, Delta is launching The Delta Propel Flight Academy, a program aimed at cultivating trained pilots
Lehigh Valley International Airport reported a significant rise in passenger traffic in February 2023, with 64,679 passengers traveling through the airport which translates into a 22% increase from the same month last year.
Allegiant Air reported at 37% increase and United and American airlines reported jumps of 34% and 24.6%, respectively.
Delta, however, experienced a decline of 18% from a year ago.
Colin Riccobon, Director of Public & Government Relations for Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority (LNAA), attributes Delta's decline in passenger traffic to less business travel and pilot shortage.
While leisure travel has gone back to the pre-pandemic level, business travel, which is also a major revenue for airlines, has lacked behind, he said.
"There has been a lot of remote work during the pandemic, and it causes a decrease in the need for business trips," he said.
Besides, Riccobon said, Delta has been managing capacity to make sure the airline does not cancel flights on people due to pilot shortages. This also results in a dip in fewer flights and passenger volumes.
The pilot shortages have gotten worse since the pandemic when airlines encouraged pilots to take early retirement while air travel collapsed in 2020.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be 18,100 openings for airline and commercial pilots on average each year over the decade.
Delta, in response to the staffing crisis, is launching The Delta Propel Flight Academy, a program aimed at cultivating trained pilots. It looks to welcome its first class of pilots in June.
Cirium, an aviation analytics website providing flight data, showed Delta has cut about 6,000 flights nationally. Here are ways to protect your rights when your flight is canceled or rescheduled according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT):
- Before contacting DOT, try to resolve the issue with the airline's customer service representatives at the airport.
- Airlines have troubleshooters who can help with many problems such as arranging meals and hotel rooms for stranded passengers, writing checks for bumped flights, and settling routine claims or complaints.
- If you can't resolve the issue at the airport, file a complaint with the airline's consumer office at its corporate headquarters.
- Airlines that fly to, from, or within the United States are required by DOT to acknowledge consumer complaints within 30 days and provide written responses within 60 days of receiving them.
- DOT also requires airlines to inform consumers of how and where to file complaints.
- The airline's website may have a form for submitting complaints.
- If the airline doesn't resolve the issue satisfactorily, file a complaint with DOT.
- DOT accepts complaints related to unlawful discriminatory treatment in air travel based on disability, race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religion, or ancestry.
Overall traffic remains 'strong and steady'
Overall, 64,679 passengers traveled through ABE, which is a 22% increase from February 2022.
"But in 2022, LVIA's passenger traffic has surpassed the pre-pandemic level."Colin Riccobon, Director of Public & Government Relations for Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority
“Comparing data from our previous travel year, passenger traffic overall remains ahead of pace which is certainly positive news for the Airport. The next month will create heavy volume due to spring break getaways and vacations,” said Thomas R. Stoudt, Executive Director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority (LNAA), in a written statement.
"Most expert thinks 2023 is the year when most airlines are back to the pre-pandemic level," Riccobon said. "But in 2022, LVIA's passenger traffic has surpassed the pre-pandemic level."
With most airlines seeing upwards in passenger volumes, the amount of air cargo going through LVIA has also surged by 43.98% in February, which totals 19,938,011 pounds.
In response to the soaring traffic, Stoudt reminded passengers to allow for extra time during the check-in and security process to ensure an on-time departure.
LVIA also announced that Allegiant Air will begin offering nonstop flights to Denver, CO., from Feb. 15 onwards.
The airport is also expecting a $35-million infrastructure project later this year that includes improvements to TSA security checkpoint screening lanes, elevators and escalators and air purification systems.
