Delays increased in April 2012, with airline delay data for all-causes showing an average delay

per delayed flight of 29 minutes, which is a increase of 15% in comparison to delays observed in
April 2011.
Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

FOREWORD
This report gives an overview of the delay situation in the European Civil Aviation Conference Area. This report has been prepared by
the Central Office for Delay Analysis (CODA), a service of EUROCONTROL. It is based on the EUROCONTROL CODA database
which contains delay data provided directly by airlines.
The report consists of an overview of the reporting period, a summary of the main delay effects, and a series of charts and graphics,
which illustrate the main characteristics of the reporting period. A glossary of terms and abbreviations used throughout the report is
given in Annex 1.
Airline data from the CODA database contains real recorded delays provided to CODA by airlines and is based on the difference
between scheduled time of departure and actual off block time.
This report discusses delays from all-causes; for information regarding ATFCM delays see the complementary reports available at
http://www.eurocontrol.int/articles/network-operations-monitoring-and-reporting

Table of Contents

1. Headlines and Overview............................................................................................................................................. 3

2. All-Causes Departure Delay Summary ..................................................................................................................... 6
3. All-Causes Arrival Delay Summary ........................................................................................................................ 10
4. Summary of Significant Events in April 2012......................................................................................................... 12
A. Year-on-Year Trends in All-Causes Delay Indicators ............................................................................................ 13
B. Busiest Airport pairs ................................................................................................................................................ 14
C. All-causes departure delay by hour ........................................................................................................................ 15
D. Average Delay per Delayed Flight & Percentage of Flights Delayed at Departure Airports............................. 16
E. Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations .................................................................................................................... 17
F. Standard IATA Delay Codes (AHM730)................................................................................................................... 18
G. Standard IATA Delay Sub-Codes (AHM731)........................................................................................................... 20
H. Correlation between IATA Delay Codes and the CFMU Reasons for Regulation............................................... 22
I. April 2012 CODA coverage of commercial flights in the ECAC region. .............................................................. 23

© 2012 European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL)

This document is published by EUROCONTROL for information purposes. It may be copied in whole or in part provided
that EUROCONTROL is mentioned as the source and to the extent justified by the non-commercial use (not for sale).
The information in this document may not be modified without prior written permission from EUROCONTROL.
The use of this document is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. EUROCONTROL expressly disclaims any and all
warranties with respect to any content within the document, express or implied.

Central Office for Delay Analysis

EUROCONTROL
96 Rue de la Fusée
B - 1130 Brussels

The Central Office for Delay Analysis (CODA) is ISO 9001:2008 certified.
Tel: + 32-2 729 33 91
Fax : + 32-2 729 90 04
E-Mail : coda@eurocontrol.int
Web Site: http://www.eurocontrol.int/coda

Date of publication of this issue: 15/06/2012

EUROCONTROL 2 CODA
 Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

1. Headlines and Overview.

April 2012 saw a notable increase in all-causes of delay compared to April 2011. Airport related
delays were seen particularly at Istanbul Ataturk as a result of cross wind, heavy rain and
increase in traffic. ATFCM en-route delay also saw an increase in contribution following French
ATC industrial action (from 2nd to 4th April) as well as Portugal although disruption was more
localised. Heathrow and Paris airports suffered from weather delays, predominantly from high
winds and thunderstorms.
 The average delay per delayed flight (ADD) for departure traffic from all-causes of delay
was 29 minutes, this was an increase of 17%.
 The percentage of flights delayed (by 5 minutes or more) increased by 2 percentage
points to 31% in comparison to April 2011.
 The percentage of flights delayed by more than 15 minutes on departure increased to
17%.
 The average delay per delayed flight for arrival traffic from all-causes of delay was 31
minutes, this was an increase of 18%.
 The percentage of flights delayed on arrival (by 5 minutes or more) increased by 2
percentage point to 36% in comparison to April 2011.

Figure 1. Average Delay per Delayed Departure and Percentage of Delayed Departures Comparison

Figure 2. Average Delay per Delayed Arrival and Percentage of Delayed Arrivals Comparison

EUROCONTROL 3 CODA
Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

Analysis of the delay causes contributing to the April 2012 Average Delay per Flight (Figure 3)
shows an increase in the contribution of reactionary delay, from 3.7 to 4.6 minutes per flight and a
resultant 47% share of the total delay minutes for the month. ATFCM related delays (en-route
and airport) increased to 0.8 minutes and 0.7 minutes per flight following the ATC industrial action
in France and airport capacity delays in Istanbul.

Figure 3. Primary delay causes, April 2011 vs. April 2012

Figure 4. Primary delay causes, April 2012

EUROCONTROL 4 CODA
Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

Figure 5. ATFCM Share of All-Causes Primary Delay.

Looking further into the history of the ATFCM proportion of primary delay (Figure 5), the en-route
percentage share of the total primary delay minutes was 16% following the disruption
experienced as a result of industrial action in France and Portugal, this was highest share noted
since April 2008.

EUROCONTROL 5 CODA
 Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

2. All-Causes Departure Delay Summary 1

The average delay per flight from all-causes of delay increased compared to April 2011
increasing by 24% to 10.3 minutes per flight (Figure 6).
In April 2012, 45% of flights departed within the 5 minute threshold before or after the scheduled
departure time; the deterioration in the delay situation can be seen for flights departing >15 mins
late. Flights departing >5 minutes ahead of schedule decreased by 2 points to 19% (Figure 7).

Figure 6. Average delay per flight (All-Causes) for Departures

Figure 7. All-Causes Departure Punctuality 2011 vs. 2012

1
A flight is considered delayed as from 5 minutes.
The analysis was based on airline data provided to CODA. Unless otherwise mentioned, a flight is considered delayed/advanced as from 5 minutes.

EUROCONTROL 6 CODA
Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

Figure 8. Primary and reactionary all-cause delay, by IATA code (%)

When analysing the average delay per flight and share of delay minutes for all causes grouped
by IATA codes Figure 8 the following can be observed:
Reactionary delay saw an increase in its contribution to the average delay per flight rising from
3.7 to 4.6 minutes. Technical and Aircraft Equipment saw a reduction its share of delay minutes,
Restrictions at Departure Airport showed an increase of 0.3 minutes per flight and an increase in
the share of total delay minutes. ATFM Staff and En-Route Equipment experienced an increase
in contribution towards the average delay per flight this rising to 0.4 minutes compared to 0.1 in
April 2011. The link from these categories to IATA codes is summarised in Figure 16.

EUROCONTROL 7 CODA
Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

Figure 9. All-Causes Delay. Top 20 Affected Departure Airports April 2012

Average
Delay Per
Average Average
Flight Percentage
ICAO Delay per Delay per
Rank Departure Airport Percentage Delayed
Code Departure Delayed
Change Departures
(mins) Departure
(vs. April
2011)
1 ISTANBUL-ATATURK LTBA 28.7 381% 42.3 67.9%
2 LISBOA LPPT 21.7 96% 38.8 55.9%
3 PORTO LPPR 17.8 135% 42.1 42.2%
4 MADRID BARAJAS LEMD 16.3 9% 29.7 54.8%
5 MALAGA LEMG 14.7 42% 35.3 41.6%
6 LONDON/HEATHROW EGLL 13.9 77% 28.4 48.7%
TOULOUSE
7 LFBO 13.1 77% 31.2 42.2%
BLAGNAC
8 PARIS ORLY LFPO 12.9 61% 29.6 43.5%
9 NICE LFMN 12.8 70% 29.3 43.7%
10 LONDON/LUTON EGGW 12.7 14% 29.0 43.6%
11 ROME FIUMICINO LIRF 12.6 49% 26.9 46.6%
12 MANCHESTER EGCC 12.5 40% 30.9 40.3%
13 LONDON/GATWICK EGKK 12.1 37% 30.3 40.0%
14 VENEZIA TESSERA LIPZ 11.9 43% 27.9 42.6%
PARIS CH DE
15 LFPG 11.6 29% 23.9 48.4%
GAULLE
16 BARCELONA LEBL 11.5 9% 33.3 34.5%
17 MILANO MALPENSA LIMC 10.9 10% 29.3 37.2%
18 BIRMINGHAM EGBB 10.3 51% 27.1 37.8%
PALMA DE
19 LEPA 10.2 24% 30.1 33.9%
MALLORCA
MARSEILLE
20 LFML 10.1 32% 30.2 33.5%
PROVENCE

Figure 10. Main delay causes at the top 10 affected departure airports

Istanbul Ataturk was the most affected airport with a significant increase in its average departure
delay per flight, this increasing to 29 minutes following airport related delays as a result of wind
direction and the runway configuration reducing rates at the airport particularly on the 1st, 15th and
16th of the month. Airlines also experienced significant shares of reactionary delay particularly at
Lisbon and Porto which also saw delays from industrial action (20th & 26th April).

EUROCONTROL 8 CODA
Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

Figure 11. All-Causes delay situation for the 20 most affected airport pairs April 2012
%
Change
Average
Average Since Percentage
Delay Per
Rank Departure Airport Arrival Airport Delay Per Previous Delayed
Delayed
Departure Period Departures
Departure
(vs. April
2011)
1 ANTALYA ISTANBUL-ATATURK 28.8 299% 45.7 62.9%
IZMIR-ADNAN-
2 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 27.8 465% 45.0 61.8%
MENDERES
3 LONDON/HEATHROW LISBOA 27.6 218% 42.1 65.7%
4 ISTANBUL-ATATURK ANKARA-ESENBOGA 27.1 169% 38.0 71.4%
5 ISTANBUL-ATATURK ADANA-SAKIRPASA 26.9 599% 46.8 57.5%
6 LONDON/HEATHROW MADRID BARAJAS 26.0 51% 34.5 75.1%
7 LISBOA LONDON/HEATHROW 24.9 229% 39.5 63.1%
AEROPORTO DA
8 LISBOA 24.0 142% 57.7 41.7%
MADEIRA
IZMIR-ADNAN-
9 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 24.0 467% 46.8 51.3%
MENDERES
AEROPORTO DA
10 LISBOA 23.4 130% 42.7 54.7%
MADEIRA
11 LAS PALMAS MADRID BARAJAS 22.1 16% 33.1 66.8%
12 LISBOA MADRID BARAJAS 21.8 44% 40.0 54.5%
13 ISTANBUL-ATATURK ANTALYA 21.4 204% 34.6 61.9%
14 LISBOA PORTO 21.4 175% 39.1 54.6%
15 MALAGA LONDON/GATWICK 21.2 39% 37.9 56.0%
16 ADANA-SAKIRPASA ISTANBUL-ATATURK 20.8 234% 42.6 48.7%
17 PORTO LISBOA 20.2 439% 42.1 48.1%
PARIS CH DE
18 MADRID BARAJAS 20.0 69% 38.1 52.4%
GAULLE
19 MADRID BARAJAS LONDON/HEATHROW 19.9 25% 28.9 68.7%
20 MADRID BARAJAS LISBOA 19.3 45% 32.8 59.0%

An analysis of the Top 20 Most-Affected Airport Pairs shows that flights between Turkish Airports
experienced high delays following weather and airport capacity delays particularly on high
frequency domestic routes. Flights from Heathrow to Madrid and Lisbon suffered from delays due
to the industrial action in France and Portugal. Weather delays were predominantly caused by
high winds and thunderstorms.

EUROCONTROL 9 CODA
 Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

2
3. All-Causes Arrival Delay Summary

The average delay per flight on arrival from all-causes increased by 26% to 11 minutes per flight,
see Figure 12.
Regarding arrival punctuality, 26% of flights arrived on time (less than 5 minutes before or after
the scheduled arrival time). The percentage of flights arriving >15 minutes ahead of schedule was
9%. Flights delayed by more than 60 minutes increased by 2 percentage points to 4%.

Figure 12. Average delay per flight (all-Causes) for Arrivals

Figure 13. All-Causes arrival punctuality 2011 vs. 2012

2 The analysis was based on airline data provided to CODA. Unless otherwise mentioned, a flight is considered delayed/advanced as from 5 minutes.

EUROCONTROL 10 CODA
Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

Figure 14. All-Causes Delay. Top 20 Affected Arrival Airports April 2012
Average
Average Delay per Average
Delay Flight Delay Percentage
ICAO
Rank Arrival Airport per Percentage per Delayed
Code
Arrival Change Delayed Arrivals
(mins) (vs. April Arrival
2011)
1 ISTANBUL-ATATURK LTBA 34.6 180% 47.2 73.2%
2 LISBOA LPPT 25.5 148% 45.7 55.7%
3 MADRID BARAJAS LEMD 22.1 12% 36.6 60.4%
4 PORTO LPPR 16.6 149% 36.3 45.6%
5 LONDON/HEATHROW EGLL 16.3 100% 34.2 47.7%
6 LONDON/GATWICK EGKK 14.8 46% 42.6 34.7%
7 LONDON/LUTON EGGW 12.6 16% 37.5 33.5%
8 BARCELONA LEBL 12.6 8% 31.0 40.6%
9 NICE LFMN 12.4 103% 29.2 42.4%
10 TOULOUSE BLAGNAC LFBO 12.2 112% 30.1 40.5%
11 MANCHESTER EGCC 12.2 17% 35.0 34.7%
12 MALAGA LEMG 11.9 48% 31.9 37.3%
MARSEILLE
13 LFML 11.6 88% 33.4 34.7%
PROVENCE
14 LAS PALMAS GCLP 11.5 -6% 26.5 43.3%
15 MILANO MALPENSA LIMC 11.4 38% 32.3 35.2%
16 PARIS ORLY LFPO 11.1 84% 30.5 36.3%
17 ROME FIUMICINO LIRF 10.3 59% 27.5 37.4%
18 PARIS CH DE GAULLE LFPG 10.1 33% 28.5 35.5%
19 LONDON/STANSTED EGSS 9.8 47% 29.1 33.8%
20 FERIHEGY-BUDAPEST LHBP 9.8 32% 31.4 31.2%

Figure 15. Main delay causes at the top 10 affected arrival airports

When analysing the Top 20 affected arrival airports; Istanbul saw a significant increase in its
average delay per flight increasing to 35 minutes, with high amounts of reactionary delay being
observed. Lisbon and Porto saw delays following the industrial action. Heathrow saw a large
share of delay minutes attributed to weather delays.

EUROCONTROL 11 CODA
 Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

Figure 16. Link between CODA Causes and IATA delay codes.
IATA
CODA CAUSE Description
Code
Passenger and Baggage 11‐19
Cargo and Mail 21‐29
Aircraft and Ramp Handling 31‐39
Airline Technical and Aircraft Equipment 41‐49
Damage to Aircraft & EDP/Automated Equipment Failure 51‐58
Flight Operations and Crewing 61‐69
Primary Delay Causes

Other Airline Related Causes Others

ATFM due to Restriction at Departure Airport 83
Airport Facilities 87
Airport
Restrictions at Airport of Destination 88
Restrictions at Airport of Departure 89
ATFM due to ATC En‐Route Demand / Capacity 81
En‐Route
ATFM due to ATC Staff / Equipment En‐Route 82
Governmental Security and Immigration 85‐86
Weather (other than ATFM) 71‐79
Weather
ATFM due to Weather at Destination 84
Miscellaneous Miscellaneous 98‐99
Reactionary Late Arrival of Aircraft, Crew, Passengers or Load 91‐96

4. Summary of Significant Events in April 2012.

 London Heathrow, Zurich, Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris airports were affected by weather
conditions (strong winds and thunderstorms).

 Istanbul Ataturk: Airport capacity problems as a result of runway configuration and weather
(wind direction).

 London Gatwick: Aircraft blocked runway following evacuation 16th April.

 French ATC industrial action (from 2nd to 4th April).

 Portugal: Industrial action 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th and 26th. Main effect was on Portuguese airports.

 Helsinki: Single runway operations due to works in progress.

EUROCONTROL 12 CODA
 Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

A. Year-on-Year Trends in All-Causes Delay Indicators

This annex summarises the year-on-year trends in the main indicators of delay from all-causes. A
flight is considered delayed from 5 minutes. This is based on CODA data covering 66% of
commercial flights in the ECAC region in April 2012.

Figure 17. Average all-causes delay/delayed flight (departures left, arrivals right)

Figure 18. Percentage of flights delayed for all-causes delay (departures left, arrivals right)

Figure 19. Percentage of flights delayed > 15mins for all-Causes (departures left, arrivals right)

EUROCONTROL 13 CODA
 Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

B. Busiest Airport pairs

Figure 20. Busiest airport pairs for flights in April 2012

Change
Flights/Day since
Rank Departure Airport Arrival Airport
APR12 APR11
(%)
1 MADRID BARAJAS BARCELONA 61.1 -18%
IZMIR-ADNAN-
2 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 57.4 7%
MENDERES
3 TOULOUSE BLAGNAC PARIS ORLY 49.7 -7%
4 ROME FIUMICINO MILANO LINATE 48.8 4%
5 ISTANBUL-ATATURK ANTALYA 45.8 13%
6 BERGEN/FLESLAND OSLO/GARDERMOEN 45.4 4%
7 NICE PARIS ORLY 45.2 -5%
8 TRONDHEIM/VAERNES OSLO/GARDERMOEN 44.7 6%
9 LAS PALMAS TENERIFE NORTE 41.6 2%
10 STAVANGER/SOLA OSLO/GARDERMOEN 40.8 4%
11 PALMA DE MALLORCA BARCELONA 39.6 -20%
12 GUERNSEY JERSEY 39.3 -5%
13 ISTANBUL-ATATURK ANKARA-ESENBOGA 39.2 1%
14 MUENCHEN 2 TEGEL-BERLIN 37.8 -2%
CATANIA
15 ROME FIUMICINO 37.6 -5%
FONTANAROSSA
16 HAMBURG MUENCHEN 2 37.3 -1%
SCHIPHOL
17 LONDON/HEATHROW 37.3 11%
AMSTERDAM
ATHINAI E.
18 MAKEDONIA 37.1 1%
VENIZELOS
19 DUESSELDORF MUENCHEN 2 37.0 -5%
20 LONDON/HEATHROW NEW YORK 36.8 5%

In April 2012 there were 2.7% fewer flights in the EUROCONTROL Statistical Reference Area
(ESRA) than in April 2011.
Madrid to Barcelona remains the busiest airport pairing in April, however flights between these
cities fell by 18%, this trend is also notable on the Palma to Barcelona sectors (-20%) following
the demise of Spanair. In a continuation of the trend seen in 2011, flights in the Turkish domestic
market continue to increase. Flights between Istanbul, Izmir and Antalya saw increases in flights
of 7% and 13% respectively.

EUROCONTROL 14 CODA
 Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

C. All-causes departure delay by hour

This annex summarises the all-cause delay by hour of the day and major causes.

Figure 21. All-causes departure delay by hour of the day April 2012.

Figure 22. All-causes departure delay by hour of the day April 2011.

EUROCONTROL 15 CODA
 Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

D. Average Delay per Delayed Flight & Percentage of Flights Delayed at Departure
Airports

For airports with an average of more than 70 departures a day, this annex summarises the
average delay per delayed flight (ADD) on departure and percentage of flights delayed (PDF) on
departure in the month.

Figure 23. ADD vs. PDF April 2012 (2012 top 20 airports for average delay/flight are labelled)

Figure 24. ADD vs. PDF April 2011 (2011 top 20 airports for average delay/flight are labelled)

EUROCONTROL 16 CODA
Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

E. Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations

Delay Parameter Abbreviations

TTF Total Flights

TRF Total Regulated Flights
TDF Total Delayed Flights

PRF Percentage of Regulated Flights

PDF Percentage of Delayed Flights

TDM Total Delay in Minutes

ADM Average Delay per Movement

ADR Average Delay per Regulated Flight
ADD Average Delay per Delayed Flight

Glossary of Terms

ACC Area Control Centre

AEA Association of European Airlines

AHM Airport Handling Manual

ATFM Air Traffic Flow Management (used by IATA in the Standard IATA Delay Codes)

ATFCM Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management

(used by NM as a more comprehensive reference to the function)

ATS Air Traffic Services

CODA Central Office for Delay Analysis

DNM Directorate Network Management

NMOC NM Operations Centre (Network Manager)

ECAC European Civil Aviation Conference

FDPS Flight Data Processing System

FMP Flow Management Position

IACA International Air Carrier Association

IATA International Air Transport Association

EUROCONTROL 17 CODA
Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

F. Standard IATA Delay Codes (AHM730)

Others
00-05 AIRLINE INTERNAL CODES
06 (OA) NO GATE/STAND AVAILABILITY DUE TO OWN AIRLINE ACTIVITY
09 (SG) SCHEDULED GROUND TIME LESS THAN DECLARED MINIMUM GROUND TIME

Passenger and Baggage

11 (PD) LATE CHECK-IN, acceptance after deadline
12 (PL) LATE CHECK-IN, congestions in check-in area
13 (PE) CHECK-IN ERROR, passenger and baggage
14 (PO) OVERSALES, booking errors
15 (PH) BOARDING, discrepancies and paging, missing checked-in passenger
16 (PS) COMMERCIAL PUBLICITY/PASSENGER CONVENIENCE, VIP, press, ground meals and missing personal
items
17 (PC) CATERING ORDER, late or incorrect order given to supplier
18 (PB) BAGGAGE PROCESSING, sorting etc.
19 (PW) REDUCED MOBILITY, boarding / deboarding of passengers with reduced mobility.

Cargo and Mail

21 (CD) DOCUMENTATION, errors etc.
22 (CP) LATE POSITIONING
23 (CC) LATE ACCEPTANCE
24 (CI) INADEQUATE PACKING
25 (CO) OVERSALES, booking errors
26 (CU) LATE PREPARATION IN WAREHOUSE
27 (CE) DOCUMENTATION, PACKING etc (Mail Only)
28 (CL) LATE POSITIONING (Mail Only)
29 (CA) LATE ACCEPTANCE (Mail Only)

Aircraft and Ramp Handling

31 (GD) AIRCRAFT DOCUMENTATION LATE/INACCURATE, weight and balance, general declaration, pax manifest,
etc.
32 (GL) LOADING/UNLOADING, bulky, special load, cabin load, lack of loading staff
33 (GE) LOADING EQUIPMENT, lack of or breakdown, e.g. container pallet loader, lack of staff
34 (GS) SERVICING EQUIPMENT, lack of or breakdown, lack of staff, e.g. steps
35 (GC) AIRCRAFT CLEANING
36 (GF) FUELLING/DEFUELLING, fuel supplier
37 (GB) CATERING, late delivery or loading
38 (GU) ULD, lack of or serviceability
39 (GT) TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT, lack of or breakdown, lack of staff, e.g. pushback

Technical and Aircraft Equipment

41 (TD) AIRCRAFT DEFECTS.
42 (TM) SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, late release.
43 (TN) NON-SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, special checks and/or additional works beyond normal maintenance
schedule.
44 (TS) SPARES AND MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT, lack of or breakdown.
45 (TA) AOG SPARES, to be carried to another station.
46 (TC) AIRCRAFT CHANGE, for technical reasons.
47 (TL) STAND-BY AIRCRAFT, lack of planned stand-by aircraft for technical reasons.
48 (TV) SCHEDULED CABIN CONFIGURATION/VERSION ADJUSTMENTS.

Damage to Aircraft & EDP/Automated Equipment Failure

51 (DF) DAMAGE DURING FLIGHT OPERATIONS, bird or lightning strike, turbulence, heavy or overweight landing,
collision during taxiing
52 (DG) DAMAGE DURING GROUND OPERATIONS, collisions (other than during taxiing), loading/off-loading damage,
contamination, towing, extreme weather conditions
55 (ED) DEPARTURE CONTROL
56 (EC) CARGO PREPARATION/DOCUMENTATION
57 (EF) FLIGHT PLANS
58 (EO) OTHER AUTOMATED SYSTEM

EUROCONTROL 18 CODA
Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

Flight Operations and Crewing

61 (FP) FLIGHT PLAN, late completion or change of, flight documentation
62 (FF) OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, fuel, load alteration
63 (FT) LATE CREW BOARDING OR DEPARTURE PROCEDURES, other than connection and standby (flight deck or
entire crew)
64 (FS) FLIGHT DECK CREW SHORTAGE, sickness, awaiting standby, flight time limitations, crew meals, valid visa,
health documents, etc.
65 (FR) FLIGHT DECK CREW SPECIAL REQUEST, not within operational requirements
66 (FL) LATE CABIN CREW BOARDING OR DEPARTURE PROCEDURES, other than connection and standby
67 (FC) CABIN CREW SHORTAGE, sickness, awaiting standby, flight time limitations, crew meals, valid visa, health
documents, etc.
68 (FA) CABIN CREW ERROR OR SPECIAL REQUEST, not within operational requirements
69 (FB) CAPTAIN REQUEST FOR SECURITY CHECK, extraordinary

Weather
71 (WO) DEPARTURE STATION
72 (WT) DESTINATION STATION
73 (WR) EN ROUTE OR ALTERNATE
75 (WI) DE-ICING OF AIRCRAFT, removal of ice and/or snow, frost prevention excluding unserviceability of equipment
76 (WS) REMOVAL OF SNOW, ICE, WATER AND SAND FROM AIRPORT
77 (WG) GROUND HANDLING IMPAIRED BY ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS

ATFM + AIRPORT + GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES

AIR TRAFFIC FLOW MANAGEMENT RESTRICTIONS

81 (AT) ATFM due to ATC EN-ROUTE DEMAND/CAPACITY, standard demand/capacity problems
82 (AX) ATFM due to ATC STAFF/EQUIPMENT EN-ROUTE, reduced capacity caused by industrial action or staff
shortage, equipment failure, military exercise or extraordinary demand due to capacity reduction in neighbouring
area
83 (AE) ATFM due to RESTRICTION AT DESTINATION AIRPORT, airport and/or runway closed due to obstruction,
industrial action, staff shortage, political unrest, noise abatement, night curfew, special flights
84 (AW) ATFM due to WEATHER AT DESTINATION

AIRPORT AND GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES

85 (AS) MANDATORY SECURITY
86 (AG) IMMIGRATION, CUSTOMS, HEALTH
87 (AF) AIRPORT FACILITIES, parking stands, ramp congestion, lighting, buildings, gate limitations, etc.
88 (AD) RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORT OF DESTINATION, airport and/or runway closed due to obstruction, industrial
action, staff shortage, political unrest, noise abatement, night curfew, special flights
89 (AM) RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE WITH OR WITHOUT ATFM RESTRICTIONS, including Air
3
Traffic Services, start-up and pushback, airport and/or runway closed due to obstruction or weather , industrial
action, staff shortage, political unrest, noise abatement, night curfew, special flights

Reactionary
91 (RL) LOAD CONNECTION, awaiting load from another flight
92 (RT) THROUGH CHECK-IN ERROR, passenger and baggage
93 (RA) AIRCRAFT ROTATION, late arrival of aircraft from another flight or previous sector
94 (RS) CABIN CREW ROTATION, awaiting cabin crew from another flight
95 (RC) CREW ROTATION, awaiting crew from another flight (flight deck or entire crew)
96 (RO) OPERATIONS CONTROL, re-routing, diversion, consolidation, aircraft change for reasons other than technical

Miscellaneous
97 (MI) INDUSTRIAL ACTION WITH OWN AIRLINE
98 (MO) INDUSTRIAL ACTION OUTSIDE OWN AIRLINE, excluding ATS
99 (MX) OTHER REASON, not matching any code above

SOURCE: IATA – Airport Handling Manual (730 & 731)

3
Restriction due to weather in case of ATFM regulation only, else refer to code 71 (WO)

EUROCONTROL 19 CODA
Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

G. Standard IATA Delay Sub-Codes (AHM731)

73 (WR) WEATHER: EN ROUTE OR ALTERNATE

Z OUTSIDE AIRCRAFT LIMITS
Y OUTSIDE CREW LIMITS
X ETOPS

81 (AT) ATFM DUE TO ATC EN-ROUTE DEMAND/CAPACITY, standard demand/capacity problems

Z ATC ROUTEINGS
Y HIGH DEMAND OR CAPACITY

82 (AX) ATFM DUE TO ATC STAFF/EQUIPMENT EN-ROUTE, reduced capacity caused by industrial action or
staff shortage or equipment failure, extraordinary demand due to capacity reduction in
neighbouring area
Z INDUSTRIAL ACTION
Y EQUIPMENT FAILURE
X STAFF SHORTAGE
W MILITARY ACTIVITY
V SPECIAL EVENT

83 (AE) ATFM DUE TO RESTRICTION AT DESTINATION AIRPORT, airport and/or runway closed due to
obstruction, industrial action, staff shortage, political unrest, noise abatement, night curfew,
special flights
Z HIGH DEMAND / ATC CAPACITY
Y INDUSTRIAL ACTION
X EQUIPMENT FAILURE
W STAFF SHORTAGE
V ACCIDENT / INCIDENT
U MILITARY ACTIVITY
T SPECIAL EVENT
S NOISE ABATEMENT/NIGHT CURFEW
R OTHER

87 (AF) AIRPORT FACILITIES, parking stands, ramp congestion, lighting, buildings, gate limitations, etc.
Z LACK OF PARKING STANDS
Y RAMP CONGESTION
X LIGHTING OR BUILDINGS
W GATE LIMITATION / NO GATE AVAILABLE
V BAGGAGE SORTING SYSTEM DOWN / SLOW
U NO PUSH BACK CLEARANCE DUE TO INFRASTRUCTURE
T JET BRIDGE INOPERATIVE
S LACK OF CHECK IN COUNTERS
R ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE
P PASSENGER TRANSPORT SYSTEM FAILURE
N PUBLIC ADDRESS/FLIGHT INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM FAILURE
M INSUFFICIENT FIRE COVER
L GROUND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FAILURE
K NO PUSH BACK CLEARANCE DUE TO CONSTRUCTION
J BREAKDOWN OF AIRPORT FUELLING SYSTEM
H LATE OR LACK OF FOLLOW ME FOR PUSH-BACK
G ANY OF THE ABOVE AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT

89 (AM) RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE WITH OR WITHOUT ATFM RESTRICTIONS, including

Air Traffic Services, start-up and pushback, airport and/or runway closed due to obstruction or weather.
Z ATC CAPACITY
Y ATC INDUSTRIAL ACTION
X ATC STAFFING
W ATC EQUIPMENT
V ATC ACCIDENT/INCIDENT
U ATC DUE TO DE-ICING
T ATC SPECIAL EVENT
S ATC WEATHER
R ATC RESTRICTIONS DUE TO CURFEW
P ATC POLITICAL UNREST
N ATC ENVIRONMENTAL
M AIRPORT CLOSURE
L RUNWAY CLOSURE
K START-UP/PUSHBACK CLEARENCE DELAY (LOCAL ATC)
J LOST FLIGHT PLAN BY ATC
H CONSTRUCTION WORK/MAINTENENCE
G OTHER

EUROCONTROL 20 CODA
Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

93 (RA) AIRCRAFT ROTATION, late arrival of aircraft from another flight

Z LATE ARRIVAL DUE DEPARTURE DELAY AT PREVIOUS STATION
Y LATE ARRIVAL DUE ENROUTE DELAY
X LATE ARRIVAL DUE DELAY AFTER LANDING
W LATE ARRIVAL DUE TO HIGH DEMAND FOR DESTINATION STATION
V LATE ARRIVAL DUE TO WEATHER AT DESTINATION
U LATE ARRIVAL DUE TO TECHNICAL REASONS

EUROCONTROL 21 CODA
 CORRELATION BETWEEN IATA DELAY CODES AND THE CFMU REASONS FOR REGULATION
CFMU IATA

EUROCONTROL
Reason for Regulation
CODE Example CODE Delay Cause
Regulation Location
C D 89 RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE
ATC capacity C E Demand exceeds the capacity 81 ATFM due to ATC ENROUTE DEMAND/CAPACITY
C A 83 ATFM due to RESTRICTION AT DESTINATION AIRPORT
I D 89 RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE
ATC Ind action I E Controller's strike 82 ATFM due to ATC STAFF/EQUIPMENT ENROUTE
I A 83 ATFM due to RESTRICTION AT DESTINATION AIRPORT
ATC Routeings R E Phasing in of new procedures 81 ATFM due to ATC ENROUTE DEMAND/CAPACITY
S D 89 RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE
ATC Staffing S E Illness, traffic delays on the highway 82 ATFM due to ATC STAFF/EQUIPMENT ENROUTE
S A 83 ATFM due to RESTRICTION AT DESTINATION AIRPORT
T D 89 RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE
ATC equipment T E Radar failure, RTF failure 82 ATFM due to ATC STAFF/EQUIPMENT ENROUTE
T A 83 ATFM due to RESTRICTION AT DESTINATION AIRPORT
Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe

A D RWY23 closed due to accident 89 RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE

Accident / Incident

22
A A 83 ATFM due to RESTRICTION AT DESTINATION AIRPORT
G D Lack of parking; taxiway closure; areas closed for maintenance; 87
Aerodrome capacity AIRPORT FACILITIES
G A demand exceeds the declared airport capacity 87 AIRPORT FACILITIES
De-Icing D D De-icing 89 RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE
E D Runway or taxiway lighting failure 87 AIRPORT FACILITIES
Equipment non-ATC
E A 87 AIRPORT FACILITIES
N D Firemen's strike 98 INDUSTRIAL ACTION OUTSIDE OWN AIRLINE
Ind Action non-ATC
N A 98 INDUSTRIAL ACTION OUTSIDE OWN AIRLINE
M D 89 RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE
Military activity M E Brilliant Invader; ODAX 82 ATFM due to ATC STAFF/EQUIPMENT ENROUTE
M A 83 ATFM due to RESTRICTION AT DESTINATION AIRPORT
P D European football cup; Heads of Government meetings 89 RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE
Special Event
P A 83 ATFM due to RESTRICTION AT DESTINATION AIRPORT
W D 89 RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE
Weather W E Thunderstorm; low visibility; X winds 73 WEATHER EN ROUTE OR ALTERNATE
W A 84 ATFM due to WEATHER AT DESTINATION
V D Noise 89 RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE
Environmental issues
V A 83 ATFM due to RESTRICTION AT DESTINATION AIRPORT
O D 89 RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE
Other O E Security alert 81 ATFM due to ATC ENROUTE DEMAND/CAPACITY
O A 83 ATFM due to RESTRICTION AT DESTINATION AIRPORT
H. Correlation between IATA Delay Codes and the CFMU Reasons for Regulation
April 2012

CODA
Digest – Delays to Air Transport in Europe April 2012

I. April 2012 CODA coverage of commercial flights in the ECAC region.

EUROCONTROL 23 CODA