41.   It is difficult and costly for major hub airports to build more plane space and runways, Jeanniot said.

42.   Legislation has been introduced in Congress to allow the Transportation Department to take away space at hub airports dominated by one airline and give gates to competing carriers.

43.   Some airlines have acted to reduce delays by rescheduling flights away from peak times, or by rerouting some flights to avoid crowded hub airports.

44.   Still, noted Kay, a thunderstorm around a hub airport could delay flights throughout the system.

45.   The company hopes to add other hub airports to the system later this year.

46.   The measure also would require that the Transportation Department study whether airlines at hub airports are stifling competition.