Now, it's still only May 16 and we haven't faced the worst of this year's thunderstorm season, but I can tell you the improved plan is already making a difference. For April, air traffic delays were down about 14 percent compared with April a year ago. I'm pleased they could join us today. Our final area of focus today will be on advances in weather technology. This is important.
Technology can help.
Now, the weather isn't the only reason for delays. Delays are due to a host of factors. That's why we have the experts here today. Serious weather is, and always will be, a hazard to safe flight. In March, at a congestion workshop, Dr. Arnold Barnett of MIT pointed out that while some risks to aviation safety had decreased, risks from thunderstorms had not.