The punctuality of scheduled and charter airlines improved during the first quarter of this year compared with the same period in 2002…
The punctuality of scheduled and charter airlines improved during the first quarter of this year compared with the same period in 2002, according to figures released by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The total number of flights operated during January to March this year was five per cent higher than the corresponding quarter in 2002.
Scheduled Flights
During January to March, 76 per cent of scheduled flights were on time (defined as early to 15 minutes late) compared with 74 per cent for the first quarter of 2002. Two of the ten monitored airports, Birmingham and Glasgow, recorded a small decrease in on-time performance of scheduled flights. The average delay remained at 15 minutes.
Charter Flights
The proportion of on-time charter flights increased from the first quarter level of 66 per cent in 2002 to 69 per cent in 2003, with all reporting airports, except Manchester, recording an increase in on-time performance. The average delay remained at 23 minutes.
The statistics are presented to show the scheduled and charter modes separately since the characteristics of these modes are different. For example, scheduled and charter flights tend to operate to different destinations at different times of the day and week. Because of this and the exclusion of cancellations from the data, simplistic comparisons between the two modes should be avoided.
Top Destinations
Among the top 75 destinations, the scheduled routes to Rome Fiumicino, Toronto, Milan Malpensa, and Venice, as well as the charter route to Geneva, all had lower than average on-time performance and higher than average delays. The scheduled route to New York had a higher than average delay whilst the scheduled routes to Zurich and Dubai had lower than average on-time performances.
<Background
The CAA statistics on punctuality of flights at Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Luton, Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London City cover both arrivals and departures. Actual times of operation are derived from air transport movements returns made to the CAA. These are compared with the planned arrival and departure times supplied by Airport Co-ordination Ltd for Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Stansted, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London City and Luton. Figures for Glasgow Airport became available in July 1993, Newcastle and Edinburgh airports from April 1996 and London City from April 1997.
It should be noted that the statistics in this notice cover only those flights which were operated; they do not cover those flights which were cancelled. Delays can occur for a variety of reasons. Operating circumstances, both within and without the airline`s control, also vary by route and by type of service. These tables are not intended and should not be treated as a direct comparison between scheduled and charter services.
Punctuality of UK Flights During January to March 2003 tables
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
