Washington -- President Bush has ordered some military airspace to be opened to commercial carriers during the holiday season to help clogged airways -- and the move could help keep Salt Lake City International flights on time as well.

Bush said Tuesday that civilian airlines will be able to use "Thanksgiving express lanes" over military airspace in the East Coast, the Midwest, the Southwest and the West Coast in an effort to cut down on air congestion during peak travel time.

While no airspace in Utah is affected, Transportation Department spokesman Brian Turmail said Salt Lake City International should benefit from on-time connections from Atlanta, Chicago and other airports.

"Opening airspace in these four parts of the country should help improve flights in and out of Salt Lake during the holiday season," Turmail said.

Also, the federal government is increasing compensation for passengers when an airline loses a bag. Starting in December, airlines will have to pay travelers up to $3,300 per lost bag, up from $3,000.

And the federal government will be allowed to fine an airline up to $27,500 next month if it fails to inform passengers of charges.

tburr@sltrib.com