Airline fuel cuts concern pilots

WASHINGTON


Airlines have been flying some planes with less extra fuel as part of a broad effort to cut costs by reducing aircraft weight. But some pilots in the NASA database say less spare fuel increases the likelihood that they will have to divert to other airports.

“Not enough fuel was put on the aircraft to handle a simple delay,” an airline captain wrote in February. He said his Miami-bound flight had to refuel in Fort Lauderdale when rain showers delayed landing in Miami.

USA Today