Air New Zealand edged out Jetstar for on time performance (OTP) on domestic jet routes in May although it had almost double the cancellation rate.
NZ’s cancellation rate was also worse than both JQ and Qantas on the Tasman. On domestic trunk routes, NZ recorded 79.6 % for on-time departures (within 15mins of schedule), and JQ 76.6%, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Transport. For on-time arrivals, NZ recorded 81.2% and JQ 78.4%. NZ’s cancellation rate was 4.2% while JQ was 2.2%.
. . . Reason For Delays
NZ says record-high winds in Wellington, a storm system affecting Christchurch and other regions, bird strikes, and Pratt & Whitney engine maintenance, contributed to delays and cancellations. JQ says its OTP was affected by construction work restricting aircraft ground movements due to taxiway closures in Auckland, airspace separation requirements leading to air traffic control delays in Queenstown and bad weather.
. . . The Tasman
On the Tasman, all routes flown by NZ, China Eastern, Emirates, JQ, LATAM, QF, Solomon Airlines and Virgin Australia show 72.5% OTP for departures and 75.9% for arrivals. The May cancellation rate was 2%, and Gold Coast-AKL was had the highest OTP for departures (90.1%) and arrivals (93%). Just 65% of NZ’s departures were on time, (up from Apr) and 75% of arrivals were on time. The national carrier had a 3.1% cancellation rate. QF’s OTP was 72.3% for departures, 71.7% for arrivals, and 1.8% of flights were cancelled. JQ’s performance was the best for the month at 86.8% for departures, 87.3% arrivals and just 0.7% cancellations. NZ says high winds in WLG, fog in CHC and engine issues disrupted operations. Its regional OTP improved from Apr with 82.7% of departures on time 83.7% of arrivals on time and its cancellation rate falling from 4.6% to 3.4%.
