US Airways 3d in on-time arrivals

US Airways was third in on-time arrivals among major airlines in October, with 87.5 percent of flights nationwide arriving within 14 minutes of schedule.

Only Northwest Airlines with 90 percent and Southwest Airlines with 89.6 percent performed better, the Transportation Department said today.

US Airways, Philadelphia's dominant airline, reported 3.08 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers in October, down from 6.42 per 1,000 in October 2007. US Airways still had more customer complaints in October than any other major airline. Transportation officials received 1.57 complaints per 100,000 passengers boarding airplanes. Southwest had only 0.16 complaints per 100,000.

Airlines operated 11.5 percent fewer flights in October than a year earlier, after cutting capacity - flights and seats - due to record high fuel prices last summer. The cuts helped reduce air traffic congestion, transportation officials said. Most airlines are now charging for checked bags, which also improved rates for lost-luggage.