WASHINGTON, DC – Airlines reported 14 tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights and two tarmac delays of more than four hours on international flights in May, according to the US De

WASHINGTON, DC – Airlines reported 14 tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights and two tarmac delays of more than four hours on international flights in May, according to the US Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report released today. Ten of the reported tarmac delays involved flights departing from Houston on May 25 during severe weather. All of the reported tarmac delays are under investigation by the Department.

Airlines operating international flights may not allow tarmac delays at U.S. airports to last longer than four hours without giving passengers an opportunity to deplane. There is a separate three-hour limit on tarmac delays involving domestic flights. Exceptions to the time limits for both domestic and international flights are allowed only for safety, security, or air traffic control-related reasons. DOT rules require all U.S. and foreign airlines operating at least one aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats to report lengthy tarmac delays at U.S. airports.

In addition, the nation’s largest airlines posted an on-time arrival rate of 80.5 percent in May, up from the 76.9 percent on-time rate in May 2014, but down from the 81.8 percent mark in April 2015.

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