Data: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/Axios
Denver International Airport saw 81% of its flights depart on-time in December 2023, according to the latest federal data.
Why it matters: That represents a significant improvement from the 58% rating a year prior when winter weather led to a meltdown at DIA in large part because of problems at Southwest Airlines.
Yes, but: The still not a great number and continues to rank below the national average of 83%, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report.
In December 2022, Southwest's problems dragged the industry wide average down to about 70% for the month.
Between the lines: A variety of factors, from weather to issues at a particular airline, can affect each airport's on-time performance. Denver's weather to start the winter was far more mild than a year ago.
Southwest CEO Robert Jordan told Axios Denver in September that the airline was better prepared for this winter and vowed not to let the miscues happen again.
The bottom line: 83% is pretty solid nationwide performance — especially during a month when winter storms can really mess with the entire air travel system.