The nation's aging airline fleets, already struggling with high fuel costs and growing passenger demand, delivered another blow to travelers Wednesday as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights while planes were reinspected for compliance with federal maintenance rules. More disruptions are expected today.
Experts said the airlines' decision to voluntarily ground the planes didn't signal that they were unsafe. But the episode is the latest indication that a combination of aging aircraft and schedule reductions are leaving the industry with fewer options.
U.S. airlines, beset by financial woes that have forced them to postpone capital investments, operate some of the oldest fleets in the world, noted Richard Aboulafia, an analyst with the Teal Group.
Older aircraft need more upkeep, which can result in more down time.
"This isn't a safety issue," he said. "But reliability is becoming a concern due to the age of the fleet." And with fewer planes, the carriers also are hard-pressed to re-book passengers onto other flights when there are cancellations for inspections or other reasons.
American, which was forced to cancel more than 320 flights Wednesday as it performed maintenance checks on its MD-80 jetliners, said it may have to cancel more flights today as it completes wiring inspections and repairs.
Maintenance issues have been high profile at America's airports for weeks as carriers scramble to bring maintenance inspections up to date after a recent Federal Aviation Administration crackdown. On March 6, the FAA assessed a $10.2-million fine against Southwest Airlines.
Since then United Airlines, American Eagle, American and Delta have conducted voluntary inspections, and more may be ahead.
At Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday, American canceled 10 of 92 domestic flights, affecting about 1,000 passengers.
"It's good to know that they're taking precautions, but I'm still nervous that there are problems in the first place," said Amy Isenberg of Los Angeles, who was waiting for an American flight to Nashville. American has more flights into and out of LAX than any other carrier.
American said it also canceled a flight at Ontario International Airport and four flights at San Diego International Airport.
The cancellations did not affect passengers at other local airports, including Burbank's Bob Hope and John Wayne in Orange County, the airline said.
