WASHINGTON — Air journey obtained extra depressing final 12 months, if the variety of shopper complaints filed with the U.S. authorities is any measure.The Transportation Division stated Friday that it acquired practically 97,000 complaints in 2023, up from about 86,000 the 12 months earlier than. The division stated there have been so many complaints that it took till July to kind by means of the filings and compile the figures.That’s the best variety of shopper complaints about airways since 2020, when airways have been gradual to provide prospects refunds after the coronavirus pandemic shut down air journey.The rise in complaints got here at the same time as airways canceled far fewer U.S. flights — 116,700, or 1.2% of the whole, final 12 months, in contrast with about 210,500, or 2.3%, in 2022, in line with FlightAware information. Nonetheless, delays remained stubbornly excessive final 12 months, at round 21% of all flights.Thus far this 12 months, cancellations stay comparatively low — about 1.3% of all flights — however delays are nonetheless operating round 21%.Greater than two-thirds of all complaints final 12 months handled U.S. airways, however 1 / 4 lined overseas airways. Many of the relaxation have been about journey brokers and tour operators.Complaints about treating passengers with disabilities rose by greater than one-fourth in contrast with 2022. Complaints of discrimination, whereas small in quantity, additionally rose sharply. Most have been about race or nationwide origin.Vacation vacationers wait for his or her baggage after arriving at Salt Lake Metropolis Worldwide Airport on Wednesday.Rick Bowmer / APThe Transportation Division stated the rise in complaints was partly the results of extra shoppers figuring out about their rights and the flexibility to file a criticism. The division stated it helped Southwest Airways prospects get greater than $600 million in refunds and reimbursements after the service canceled practically 17,000 flights throughout December 2022. Southwest additionally paid a $35 million fantastic.Airways obtain many extra complaints from vacationers who don’t know the way or don’t hassle to complain to the federal government, however the carriers don’t launch these numbers.The Transportation Division is modernizing its complaint-taking system, which the company says will assist it do a greater job overseeing the airline business. Nonetheless, the division now releases criticism numbers many months late. It didn’t situation figures for the second half of 2023 till Friday.