New Strategy for Airlines is Cancellation

Aircraft De-Icing

Rather than risk steep fines and expensive de-icing procedures, many U.S. air carriers are opting to pre-cancel flights in the days before adverse weather. While not great news to some travelers, the strategy is paying off for the airlines.

In the wake of the JetBlue Valentines Day incident a few years ago, as well as other instances where various airline’s passengers were subjected to unusually long tarmac delays, a “passenger bill of rights” was introduced. Among other things it allows for fines of up to $27,000 per passenger if they are kept waiting on the tarmac for over three hours. Strict gate return policies, at the 2 ½ hour mark, are now in effect at most airlines.

Massive winter storms at airports can cause excessively long, and now very expensive, delays for the airlines. Additionally, the cost to have an aircraft de-iced and then anti-iced before take off can cost thousands of dollars per aircraft.

The average cost for Type IV de-ice fluid, used to also coat aircraft as anti-ice protection during snow and ice precipitation, is about $70 per gallon. A large aircraft can require hundreds of gallons for treatment. For many flights, this cost is often much higher than any potential profits for a given flight.

If an airline cancels flights ahead of time, there is very little downside for the airlines. They are protected from the fines for long delays, and do not have to de-ice very many aircraft. Additionally, they can keep aircraft from getting stranded at hubs affected by the weather, and move passengers through their other hubs. The passengers on the canceled flights can be accommodated on flights at a later date, and will occupy seats that were already unsold.