Airports' Strategies For Tackling Flight Delays And Disruptions

Flight delays are a common occurrence at airports, and there are many reasons for this. Staffing shortages, runway construction, holiday traffic, and bad weather can all cause delays, and these issues are often out of the control of travellers. However, there are a few things travellers can do to minimise the impact of delays, such as buying travel insurance, using airport lounges, and planning for potential delays. Airports also have varying on-time departure rates, with early morning flights generally being more punctual than those later in the day.

Staffing shortages

Delays are a common occurrence at airports, and staffing shortages are one of the main reasons for this. Airports and airlines are facing shortages of pilots and ground crew, which leads to fewer staff members managing flights and operations. This can cause significant delays, especially at peak times.

To respond to staffing shortages, airports can take several measures. Firstly, they can increase recruitment efforts and provide incentives to attract more staff. This may include offering competitive salaries, benefits, and career development opportunities. Airports can also cross-train existing staff to cover multiple roles and ensure that they have the flexibility to manage different areas of the airport.

Another strategy is to optimise staff rostering and scheduling. Airports can use data analytics to predict peak times and staff accordingly, ensuring that there are enough resources to manage the increased demand. They can also implement efficient shift patterns to avoid staff burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance for their employees.

In addition, airports can invest in technology and automation to reduce the reliance on manual labour. This may include self-service check-in kiosks, automated baggage drop-off and retrieval systems, and robotic cleaning equipment. By implementing these technologies, airports can free up staff resources and improve overall efficiency.

Finally, airports can improve their communication and collaboration with airlines and other stakeholders. Effective communication ensures that everyone is aware of any potential delays and can work together to minimise their impact. This includes coordinating with ground handling agents, catering services, and refuelling operations to ensure timely turnarounds.

By implementing these strategies, airports can effectively respond to staffing shortages and minimise delays. While delays may still occur due to unforeseen circumstances, efficient staffing management can help reduce their frequency and impact on travellers.

Runway construction

Firstly, airports can implement effective planning and scheduling of construction works. By carefully coordinating construction activities with flight operations, airports can minimise disruptions and ensure that construction works are carried out during off-peak hours or periods of lower air traffic. This may involve working closely with construction contractors to develop detailed construction schedules and contingency plans to address potential delays or unforeseen circumstances.

Secondly, airports can utilise alternative runways or taxiways during construction works. If multiple runways are available, airports can redirect aircraft to alternative runways to maintain flight operations while construction is ongoing. This strategy helps to reduce the impact of construction delays on overall flight operations and ensures that airlines can continue to utilise the airport during construction.

Additionally, airports can provide advance notice and regular updates to airlines and passengers regarding runway construction works. By communicating construction schedules and potential delays in advance, airlines can adjust their flight schedules and inform passengers of any expected disruptions. This allows passengers to plan their journeys accordingly and make alternative arrangements if necessary.

In some cases, airports may also offer incentives or compensation to airlines and passengers affected by runway construction delays. This could include providing discounts on airport fees or offering vouchers for future travel. By acknowledging the impact of construction delays on airlines and passengers, airports can foster goodwill and minimise negative experiences.

Finally, airports can explore innovative construction techniques and technologies to expedite runway construction projects. This includes the use of prefabricated components, accelerated construction methods, and specialised equipment to increase efficiency and reduce the overall duration of construction works. By minimising construction timelines, airports can reduce the impact of delays on flight operations and enhance overall operational efficiency.

Holiday traffic

Hubs are the larger airports that serve as central connection points for one or more airlines. These are often the busiest airports, so you may experience delays at these airports during holiday periods.

It's also worth noting that airports' rankings for the percentage of on-time flights change often. This is due to reasons such as runway construction, holiday traffic, or bad weather. So, this month's most-delayed airports may be different from next month's.

Bad weather

Firstly, airlines and air traffic control closely monitor weather patterns and make informed decisions to delay flights until the storm passes. This is a collaborative effort between the Aviation Weather Center (AWC), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the individual airlines. The AWC, staffed by expert meteorologists, is responsible for analysing atmospheric conditions, developing forecasts for potential hazards, and issuing advisories.

Airports with the most weather delays tend to operate close to capacity for large parts of the day, which means delayed flights may have to wait hours to land or depart. However, if an airport has excess capacity, many delayed planes can be shifted to non-weather periods without overloading the system.

To reduce delays, stakeholders can share real-time weather data, operational information, and forecasts to develop coordinated strategies for managing weather-related challenges. NextGen weather tools provide enhanced situational awareness to air traffic controllers and pilots, allowing them to anticipate and proactively respond to weather hazards. This includes access to graphical weather displays, radar imagery, lightning detection, and other relevant information to identify and avoid areas of severe weather. Aircraft can also adjust their flight paths in real-time based on weather conditions.

Travel insurance

While travellers can't control whether their flight takes off on time, there are a few things they can do to minimise delays. Firstly, they can avoid airports that are known for late flights. However, it's important to note that an airport's ranking for on-time flights can change often due to factors like runway construction, holiday traffic, or bad weather. Therefore, it's a good idea to check the most recent data before choosing an airport.

Another way to reduce the impact of delays is to purchase travel insurance. Many travel insurance policies offer coverage for travel delays, including reimbursement for meals, accommodations, and even alternative transportation. This can provide peace of mind and help travellers feel more prepared for potential delays.

Additionally, investing in an airport lounge membership can be beneficial, especially for frequent flyers. Lounges offer comfortable seating, complimentary food and drinks, and other amenities that can make a long delay more bearable.

It's also important to stay calm and keep busy during delays. Bringing a good book, downloading movies, or using the time to catch up on work or emails can help pass the time and reduce frustration.

Finally, choosing a hub airport, which is a larger airport that serves as a central connection point for one or more airlines, can sometimes result in more on-time departures, especially for early morning flights. By combining these strategies, travellers can feel more empowered and better equipped to handle potential delays.

Frequently asked questions