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On-time performance in the Australian aviation industry has reached its highest levels in three years, according to Airservices Australia.
On-time arrivals and departures were both at 79 per cent across the sector in May 2024, both up five per cent on May 2023 but below May 2019 levels, according to Airservices’ Australian Aviation Network Overview report for the 2024 financial year.
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Cancellations were at 2 per cent, 1 per cent below May 2023 and equal to May 2019. On-time arrivals were still the second-worst of every major region, above only North America at 74 per cent and well below the global average of 86 per cent.
“After performance challenges and significant weather disruptions in the first half of FY2024, overall industry on-time performance and cancellation rates rapidly improved for the remainder of the year,” the Airservices report read.
“A sharper focus on prioritising the passenger gate-to-gate journey by airports, airlines and service providers is delivering performance benefits and fostering trust in our sector.”
Air traffic management outcomes also improved over the year, Airservices said, with network decisions “increasingly focused on optimising industry outcomes enabled by technology and process improvement”.
“In June 2024, total Ground Delay Program (GDP) hours applied reduced by over 60 per cent compared to the monthly average in the earlier months of the financial year,” the report read.
“Ground delay minutes attributable to Airservices were 82 per cent lower than the start of the year equating to an average of less than three minutes per impacted flight.
“Variations to published airspace services decreased by 44 per cent compared to the previous 12-month average, with impacted flights reduced by 70 per cent.”
The air traffic control body acknowledged that consistency of service has “still fallen short of expectations on occasion”, noting its “variable service levels in December 2023 and May 2024”.
“Delivering consistent month-on-month improvement to ensure we can effectively serve our customers day in and day out remains our top priority,” the report read.
“In this financial year, an additional 50 air traffic controllers have entered into service, with a further 80 expected in FY2025.
“Building on recent learnings, we are continually refining our training system, staff engagement, rostering and endorsement approach to strengthen service resilience and flexibility.”
Airservices in April claimed March 2024 was its best performance in 12 months.
