Air traffic controllers grounded Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport?s recent surge of good PR by rating it as one of the top 10 most delayed airports in the country.
Just more than a month ago, the airport was ranked the third-highest in overall passenger satisfaction in medium-sized airports by J.D. Power and Associates. This week it found itself on a less desirable list.
According to the report released by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, in August 2005, BWI ranked 10th in the county for the most delayed departures, with 23.6 percent of total flights delayed. It ranked 16th for the most delayed arrivals, with 23.06 percent of total flights delayed.
The report used statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
“The vast majority of the time, flight delays are beyond the control of local airports,” said Jonathan Dean, spokesman for the Maryland Aviation Administration.
Dean said most flight delays at the airport are the result of weather or aircraft maintenance issues.
The report?s release coincides with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association?s launch of a new Web site, www.avoiddelays.com. The site advises consumers about the most congested flight times and which airlines are known for delays.
John Dunkerly, a local representative of the National Air Traffic Controller Association?s union and an air traffic controller at BWI since 1998, said the reports are not meant to dissuade consumers from choosing BWI.
“I am in no way shape or form advocating not to use BWI,” Dunkerly said. “What we are stressing is for the consumers to take a look at the information that is there.”
The site?s launch comes at a time when the union is locked in a contract battle with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Dunkerly said inadequate working conditions are driving air traffic controllers away from the profession, and the shortage could make delays even worse.
“We are starting to see shortages of air traffic controllers,” he said.
BWI has 26 air controllers, with seven eligible to retire next year, Dunkerly said.
