Inspection program may ground more planes

Washington -- U.S. flight cancellations may become more frequent this spring as the Federal Aviation Administration revamps inspection programs, industry observers said.

Thousands of flights have been canceled recently on inspection concerns, The New York Times reported.

An inspection audit began March 30 and is expected to be completed by June 30, the Times said.

American Airlines canceled more than 1,000 flights Wednesday and announced 900 additional cancellations Thursday.

"They've been putting off modernizing the fleet," Ray Neidl, an airline analyst told ABC News.

But, the inspection programs are also under scrutiny, the Times report said.

Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, said renewed criticism of the FAA, in the wake of inspection lapses involving Southwest Airlines, was meant to "get them back on course, to being the gold standard in the world for aviation safety."

Southwest was fined $10.2 million in March for flying jets beyond critical inspection dates. The FAA has been criticized for not grounding the jets. A whistle-blower has alleged the FAA knew the lapses had occurred.

Alaska and Delta Air Lines have also canceled flights recently for inspection issues, the Times reported.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.