Universally, a flight is considered to be delayed when it is 15 minutes later than its scheduled time. A cancellation occurs when the airline does not operate the flight at all for a certain reason.
The national regulator for civil aviation allocates slots for takeoffs and landings based on which flights are scheduled. This helps airlines to prepare their schedule, plan utilisation of aircraft and the air traffic control to gear up for traffic in air and airports to anticipate footfall and support staff needed to handle them efficiently. Unlike US, most countries do not impose a fine on airlines for delayed or cancelled domestic or international flights.
Reasons for Delay or Cancellation
- The national civil aviation regulator keeps a record of flight delays in all countries. In US, Bureau of Transportation statistics keeps track of causes of flight delays since 2003. While in India, Ministry of Civil Aviation publishes monthly On Time Performance (OTP) data for domestic airlines. If we look at the data available, the average flight delay in US is about 13 min, however similar data is not made available by DGCA India to compare.
- The DGCA, publishes OTP of scheduled domestic airlines computed for four metro airports viz. Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, however in my opinion, considering the size of domestic market, this data is inadequate. To further bring in efficiency and accountability more data should be collected from cities like Chennai, Kolkata, Patna, Gauhati, Ahmadabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Goa etc. It is not surprising that the present data is not from any of the airports controlled by AAI.
- The airports are integral part of air travel system. DGCA, India publishes OTP for scheduled domestic airlines, similar data should be published for airports also. The public will have relevant information and this will further increase healthy competition, accountability as well as efficiency at airport and its management.
- There could be various reasons or combination of them for flight delays. The US Bureau of Transportation Statistics provides actual reasons for delays. Careful review of the data revealed very startling facts. The top three reasons for delay were surprisingly – Air System, Airline issue and Delayed arrival of aircraft, and in that order, where as delays related to weather and security issues were minuscule. DGCA, India does not provide any statistics regarding reasons for delay of flight.
- From the above it is clear that shared accountability is needed across the entire value chain in aviation system. Instead of focusing on airlines only, DGCA needs to urgently address shortfalls in the entire ecosystem including Air Traffic Control, Air Navigation System and Airports. The present bureaucratic approach will only increase pressure on airlines which are already under constant pressure.
- Out of all kinds of delay the worst is cancellation of flight. However, no data is available on number of flights cancelled and their reasons.
- On further evaluation of number of flights operated every month and OTP data, it was revealed that there was more than 16% chance of your flight getting delayed. In other words, in India every sixth flight is delayed for reasons not known to general public. This is still a very high figure and should be brought down with involvement of nodal agencies.
Flight delays are inconvenient for passengers. A delayed flight can be particularly costly to travellers by causing them to miss connecting flights, scheduled appointments and interfering with other commitments. Furthermore, delayed passengers may suffer anger, frustration, and even air rage.
In all the cases of delay, the airline must inform passengers of any changes to their flights as soon as possible and provide necessary assistance. If you’re wondering why your flight was delayed, you should first ask the airport staff for information. As a passenger, you have the right to know why you won’t be departing on time. However, it’s worth noting that the information provided by airport staff won’t always be accurate. In some cases, airlines may lie about the cause of a delay to avoid paying compensation.
Suggestions
- It is good to know airlines which are good at being on time. However, similar OTP data should be made available for major 10 airports of India.
- The average delay and reasons for delay should also be provided so as to bring synergy and increase efficiency in different arms of aviation.
Be safe. Be on Time.
Jai Hind.
