Illinois Airport Delays: Which One is the Worst?

Decatur Airport Named Most Delay-Prone in the U.S., O’Hare No Longer Holds the Title

A new study reveals that Decatur Airport in Illinois has surpassed chicagos O’Hare International Airport as the most delay-ridden departure point in the nation for 2024. The analysis, conducted by travel company Exoticca and utilizing data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, paints a concerning picture for travelers passing through the central Illinois hub.

illinois airports Dominate Delay Rankings

According to the report, flights departing from Decatur experienced an average delay of 32.89 minutes – the highest in the country. This startling statistic positions Decatur well ahead of larger, more frequently used airports. Illinois’ struggles with on-time performance weren’t limited to Decatur, however. MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Belleville ranked tenth with an average delay of 27.77 minutes, while Rockford Airport came in at number 19, averaging 25.92 minutes of delay.The collective performance of these three airports has effectively rebranded the “land of Lincoln” as the “Land of Late Departures.”

Did you know?-The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) is a part of the U.S.Department of Transportation and tracks the on-time performance of domestic flights. Their data is publicly accessible.

Cancellation Rates Add to Traveler Woes

Beyond delays, travelers flying from Decatur and Belleville also faced a meaningful risk of cancellation. Decatur saw 2.31% of its flights canceled, while Belleville experienced an even higher cancellation rate of 2.55%. These figures underscore the instability of flight schedules at these regional airports.

Reader question:-If you’ve flown through Decatur or Belleville recently,what was your experience with delays or cancellations? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Why Decatur? The impact of Limited Traffic

Experts suggest that Decatur’s small size and limited commercial traffic contribute considerably to its delay issues. “Even minor disruptions – whether weather-related,mechanical,or due to crew availability – can have a disproportionately large impact on the schedule when an airport handles fewer flights,” a senior official stated. The lack of flight options for rerouting and a smaller staff for handling disruptions further exacerbate the problem, leading to slower recovery times when issues arise.

Decatur bested airports in Plattsburgh, New York; Christiansted, Virgin Islands; Mason City, Iowa; and Concord, North Carolina, in the rankings. The list, as one analyst noted, “reads like a who’s who of lesser-known airports struggling to maintain on-time performance.”

What This Means for Travelers

The implications for travelers are clear: if flying from Decatur, it is crucial to allocate extra time and prepare for potential delays.alternatively, passengers should consider utilizing larger airports in nearby cities that offer more flight options and a more reliable on-time record.

Illinois, despite its central location, has become the focal point for flight delays in 2024, with decatur Airport firmly holding the unwanted title.