Originally Posted by
shortshortz
NZ isn't really even close. There was a 288 minute COBT delay yesterday for some guys into YSSY and you would still then receive airborne delays.
I do not want to come across as ignorant - but that sort of comment does make me question the whole point of the Ground Delay Program. My experience shows me that on days when you get a 2 hour COBT delay, you do tend to get more holding than the standard traffic allowance.
I wonder what the airlines would prefer - having their flight depart on time and possibly get 90-120 minutes of airborne holding with the possibility of a diversion, or a 3 hour COBT delay still with 30 plus minutes airborne holding.
The two hours of airborne holding would result in less of a delay to that aircraft for the airline, but obviously at the cost of several Tonnes of fuel and the increased risk of a diversion.