GIVT SKY ranking for Airports, Airlines Q3 2019

Wed, Nov 20, 2019

By publisher

3 MIN READ

HAVE you ever wondered which airlines cancel the most flights, which airports have the biggest delays, or which countries have the highest risk of disrupted flights? If the answer to any of these questions is yes then you will enjoy our report. The GIVT Sky Ranking is an easy to follow guide to levels of disrupted flights: delayed 3hr+ flights and cancelled flights, for top airlines, airports and countries.

With ever congested skies passengers should never just limit their flight choices to costs and times. Travel comfort can be significantly impaired by an airport’s ability to efficiently handle traffic or resolve unforeseen situations. The same holds for airlines, all of which have different policies for dealing with passenger complaints.

Where to expect delays

2019 has been a good year so far for airlines. Across Europe flight numbers have increased by nearly 100,000 compared to the first three quarters of 2018. While the number of flights has increased, the number of disrupted flights has actually decreased. Several factors have helped, fuel prices have dropped since 2018, pilot shortages have also been redressed by many airlines, and there have been far fewer industrial strikes.

British Airways is struggling to keep up with the competition

Budget airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air have made great strides with 25% less disruption than 2018. British Airways has its own set of problems, they experienced a 200% increase in disrupted flights compared to the same period last year. Confidence in BA is in a nosedive as security issues, computer glitches, and pilot strikes have hit the company. Gaffes by their customer service incorrectly informing clients their flights were cancelled have not helped, eroding customer confidence even further.

“It is very important to differentiate between airline strikes and airport strikes. Airport strikes, like baggage handler, or air traffic control strikes are considered extraordinary circumstances, and airlines are exempt from compensation liability. However, if their own staff; check-in, pilots, or crew strike, then customers are entitled to compensation,” says Elżbieta Tyszka GIVT Head of Legal and Compliance.

But how have airlines fared in last quarter, peak summer months when flight numbers are at their highest? Most airlines are performing well compared to Q3 2018, with low-cost carriers Ryanair, and Wizz Air leading the way on reducing disrupted flights, despite a UK Pilot’s strike at Ryanair and a baggage handler strike at Luton Airport, hitting both airlines.

Running costs have also had a big impact. Jet fuel prices were high all throughout 2018, according to the IATA the cost of a barrel of jet fuel was $94 in May 2018, around 50% higher than May 2017, and 17.5% more than the current cost of $80 per barrel^[1].

– Nov. 20, 2019 @ 9:39 GMT |