The rules say airlines have to utilize slots at 80 percent or they could be at risk in future seasons. And those requirements really aren’t that strict. It has to be pointed out that Delta is well aware of how slot rules work, and it should have planned to pull down less in New York than it did so it could obey the requirements. Other airlines had the foresight to actually do that work further in advance. You’ll remember Delta’s operation was very bad in June, and it pulled down its schedule from July on to compensate. When you read this, you probably say “no shit, Sherlock.” With the exception of the first point, these are issues that are hitting the entire industry, and not all airlines have run such poor operations as Delta this summer.

Crews are calling in sick at much higher levels in 2022 than in previous years.

There has been more severe weather in summer 2022 than in previous years.

Air traffic control delays in summer 2022 were higher than in summer 2019.

Gates and hardstands at JFK were also reduced due to construction on neighboring Terminal 1.

Airport construction at LaGuardia reduced available gates for Delta from 34 to 30.

In Delta’s request, it provided four reasons why the FAA should allow it to keep its slots even though it wouldn’t be able to meet the already generous minimum flying requirements. I can’t say I agree with the FAA’s decision-making here. This allows the airline to not fly even the bare minimum required for slots this summer and still hold on to them for the future. Delta received quite a gift from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) late last week when it was granted a slot waiver for operations at LaGuardia, JFK, and partially at Washington/National.

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