Fear of flying is very common.
In fact, it affects about 25 million adults in the U.S., according to Cleveland Clinic.
Notably, research suggests it is possible for someone to fly without any unease for years, and then develop aerophobia.
The number of worldwide airline flights increased continuously since the early 2000s to reach 38.9 million in 2019. The Covid pandemic slowed things down in 2020.
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The industry has been quickly recovering since, and it is projected to reach 40 million flights in 2025, according to Statista.
When it comes to fear of flying, to people who suffer from it, statistics don’t matter. According to the Civil Aviation Organization, chances of dying in a plane crash are one in 11 million. This compares to the odds of being in a car crash, which are one in 5,000.
In other words, flying is safe. And it is one of the most convenient ways of traveling, especially long distances.
However, recent delays and chaos at Newark Liberty International Airport have not only inconvenienced passengers, but also raised safety concerns among some travelers.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian explains the impact of outdated air traffic control systems.
Image source: Getty Images
Outdated air traffic control system vividly explained by Delta Air CEO
One of the busiest airports in the U.S., Newark Liberty International Airport has been experiencing significant delays and cancelations due to a combination of issues including staffing shortages, an outdated air traffic control system, runway closure, and technical disruptions, writes The New York Times.
Two recent radar outages raised frequent travelers’ concerns, especially because they followed two big U.S. airline crashes earlier in this year. A recent poll reveals that 65% of Americans feel more anxious about flying now.
Are their concerns justified? Is traveling from and to Newark airport safe?
According to Delta Air Lines (DAL) CEO Ed Bastian, it is completely safe.
In a recent interview with Today, Bastian said, “It is absolutely safe. It’s the safest form of transportation in the world. The most skilled aviation professionals in the world work and operate the United States airspace.”
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However, he further highlighted that even though flying is safe, these current conditions are unacceptable.
According to Bastian, outdated equipment slows everything down. Bastian illustrated the extent of the problem with the following shocking example: “Today, it takes longer in our schedule to fly from Atlanta to La Guardia than it did in the 1950s, when we opened that route.”
Bastian suggested that the congestion could be resolved with modernization of the skies, “bringing greater efficiency.”
He said modernization should involve using satellite technologies and GPS, in addition to updating the radar and radio systems from the 1960s that air traffic controllers are still using.
Delta Air’s recent milestones
Meanwhile, Delta’s financials reflect broader industry concerns.
The company recently reported first-quarter 2025 earnings results with non-GAAP operating revenue of $12.98 billion, compared to $12.56 billion in the same period of 2024.
However, the company’s updated outlook for the year draws the most focus from investors. Just a quarter ago, Delta Air Lines had anticipated unprecedented profits, but those projections have since been revised.
In an interview with CNBC, Bastian pointed to a decline in overall consumer and business confidence. Softer-than-anticipated bookings led the airline to scrap its planned 3% to 4% increase in flights for the latter half of 2025. Instead, flight capacity will remain steady through the end of the year.
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More recently, the company announced a $330 million investment to acquire a 15% stake in Canadian WestJet.
Year-to-date, Delta Air Lines stock price is down 13.24%, trading at $51.25.
