Apr worst OTP in 20 years

The on-time performance (OTP) of Australia’s domestic airlines averaged just over 60% last month, with the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) saying it was the worst ever result since recording commenced in Nov 2003.

The agency said the figures were impacted by weather related events, congestion and COVID-19-related issues.

The best out of a bad lot was the Virgin Australia and VA Regional Airlines network, which recorded 65.8% for on-time arrivals during Apr, ahead of Qantas and QantasLink which had a 60.8% on time arrival result.

Among the major domestic carriers, VA achieved the highest on time arrivals with 65.6%, followed by Jetstar at 59.2% and then Qantas in third place with a result of just 58.7%.

Of the regional carriers, Regional Express recorded 73.6% for on-time arrivals, followed by Virgin Australia Regional Airlines at 69.15% and then QantasLink with 62.4%.

The highest percentage of cancellations was recorded by QantasLink, at 5.4% for the month, followed by Qantas with 5%, Jetstar with 4.9%, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (3.2%) Virgin Australia (3.1%) and then Rex Airlines at 1.1%.

Karratha-Perth was the best performing route in terms of arrivals with an 88.9% rate, while the worst was Launceston-Melbourne, where just 37% of flights arrived on time in Apr.

Cancellations during the month were highest on Ballina-Sydney where 14% of scheduled flights did not operate, followed by Sydney-Ballina (12.7%), Melbourne-Sydney (11.3%), Sydney-Melbourne (11.1%) and Newman-Perth (9.7%).