Who issues airport delays?
The FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center is the agency responsible for issuing ‘airport delays’. These delays take one of three forms, ground delay programs, ground stops, and general airport delays. Generally, ‘flight delays’ are the responsibility of the airline. Each airline has a certain number of hourly arrivals and departures allotted per each airport. If the airline is not able to get all of its scheduled flights in or out each hour, then representatives of the airline will determine which flights to delay and which flights to cancel. When airport demand is greater than the determined airport capacity, then a ground delay program may be instituted. Generally, ground delay programs are issued when inclement weather is expected to last for a significant period of time. These programs limit the number of aircraft that can land at an affected airport. Because demand is greater than the aircraft arrival capacity, flight delays will result. Second, ground stops are issued whe
