Airlines' on-time rate up in January

WASHINGTON, March 5 (UPI) -- U.S. airlines reported an improved rate for on-time flights in January over December but the rate remains behind on-time figures posted a year ago.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, reports that data from 20 U.S. airlines showed 72.4 percent of the flights tracked made it to their destination on time, a leap up from December when 64.3 percent did.

In January 2007, 73.1 percent of flights were on time.

Among the delays, the report said 43.56 percent were attributed to weather. Another 8.42 percent were caused by aviation systems and 8.41 percent by a late-arriving aircraft. Delays under the airlines' control -- maintenance or crew problems -- accounted for 6.79 percent of the delays, the report said.

Security issues accounted for 0.07 percent of January's delays.

In January, rates of mishandled baggage improved to 7.37 reports per 1,000 passengers from rates of 9.01 per 1,000 in December and 8.19 in January 2007.