Qantas and Jetstar’s on time performance (OTP) on the Tasman and domestic jet routes continue to outshine Air New Zealand.
Latest Ministry of Transport figures for Sep show 59.1% of NZ’s transtasman flights departed on time (within 15 minutes of schedule) while JQ recorded 66.1% and QF 74.7%.
NZ recorded 1.4% cancellations with the hardest hit route being Christchurch-Sydney where 10.8% of its flights were scrubbed. It says on a small number of flights, OTP was impacted by Pratt & Whitney engine issues. The airline is reported as saying these problems could drag on for two more years.
JQ recorded 2.3% cancellations and QF 0.8%. JQ says its OTP was affected by ground movement restrictions in Auckland, weather restrictions at Queenstown, and last-minute gate changes at AKL. QF cites seasonal weather-related delays (storms, fog, and icing) and airport congestion.
The OTP departures for transtasman routes flown by all airlines was 69.6%. The overall cancellation rate for the month was 1.1%.
. . . Domestic Jet
On domestic main trunk routes, NZ recorded 76.3% for on-time departures and JQ was 76.9%. NZ’s cancellation rate was 2.2% and JQ’s was 0.9%. NZ says weather was the main contributor, particularly strong winds in key ports. Peak holiday demand placed additional pressure on operations. JQ says its performance was affected by air traffic control holding in AKL, ZQN and CHC, as well as delays from slow passenger seating at AKL. High winds also affected some dual door boarding.
. . . Regional Routes
NZ’s OTP for regional routes was 73.5% for departures. The cancellation rate for the month was 4.2%, in line with other airlines that fly to the regions. The worst-affected NZ route was Rotorua and AKL where 12.3% of the airline’s flights were cancelled.
