Another significant element of any program truly designed to enhance safety and efficiency is an ability to collect accurate data concerning incidents that occur within the system. The individuals involved must be able to participate freely, without fear of repercussions, in order for a system like this to work. A program must have integrity and credibility with both the pilots and controllers to be effective. To be able to work on the root causes of deeply imbedded systemic problems it is essential that the program have accurate, safety-oriented data to work with. Only through such a program, with guaranteed immunity from all but intentional rule violations will we ever be able to identify and correct potentially catastrophic problems.
Environmental concerns have a great impact on the aviation industry.
Noise restrictions constrain arrival and departure routes thereby exacerbating the delay problem. The airlines and manufacturers have spent millions of dollars designing newer, quieter aircraft. Pilots are compelled to fly highly complex procedures at less than optimal operational performance standards to comply with ground based constituent concerns. The industry has done all it can do to alleviate these complaints. This wholesale acquiescence to environmental concerns may have to be amended if we are to thoroughly address the entire scope of the delay problem.