US airlines fly 642 mln passengers in 2005

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. airlines flew 642 million
passengers last year but also reported more flight delays,
mishandled baggage and consumer complaints than they did in
2004, the government said on Thursday.

The Transportation Department’s annual air travel consumer
report showed that 19 commercial airlines boarded 642 million
people in 2005, 23 million more than the previous year.

The agency received 8,735 complaints about airline service,
up 17.2 percent from 2004.

Complaints ranged from flight cancellations or delays,
incomplete or incorrect information about fares,
discrimination, customer service and lost or mishandled bags.

The airlines recorded an on-time arrival rate of 77 percent
in 2005, down from 78 percent. Most flight delays were caused
by weather.