Global Airlines Facing Challenges with Long-Haul Punctuality
Air India recently made headlines for experiencing delays in its flights to San Francisco, both from Mumbai and Delhi. The airline issued a $350 voucher to passengers on the delayed San Francisco flight after receiving a notice from regulators. Despite being the largest operator of non-stop flights to North America from India, Air India is not alone in facing On Time Performance (OTP) issues.
According to data from FlightRadar24, all airlines operating non-stop flights between India and America are struggling with punctuality. Four airlines provide non-stop services between the two countries, and a recent check of flight statuses from May 25 to May 31, 2024, revealed some concerning insights.
American Airlines, operating a daily non-stop service from New York to Delhi, experienced delays ranging from three to six hours on two out of four flights during the period. United Airlines, which reduced its operations to one daily flight between Newark and Delhi due to restrictions following the Russia-Ukraine war, also faced challenges.
Air Canada’s daily non-stop flight from New Delhi to Toronto did not have a single on-time departure during the review period. The airline also encountered delays of up to one hour on four occasions and one longer delay, as well as a cancellation. Air India, which operates the majority of these flights, saw improvements in its performance during the same week, except for the flights to San Francisco.
In terms of specific routes, Air India’s flights to New York from Mumbai experienced delays of up to six hours on one day and delays of up to an hour on two other days. Flights to Newark were delayed only once during the week. Flights to San Francisco and other destinations also faced delays, highlighting the challenges of long-haul operations.
Despite these issues, Air India’s flights to Chicago and other destinations managed to maintain near on-time performance. The airline’s consistent operations to various North American cities reflect its efforts to improve punctuality and customer satisfaction. However, challenges remain, especially on routes with high passenger demand and complex logistics.
In conclusion, the aviation industry’s struggle with long-haul punctuality underscores the complexities of global air travel. Factors such as route planning, aircraft maintenance, and passenger handling all contribute to the overall performance of airlines. While improvements are being made, there is still room for growth and enhancement in ensuring on-time performance for long-haul flights.