Heathrow second worst in Europe for delays
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Heathrow second worst in Europe for delays
'Heathrow's overcrowded runways and unpredictable weather have turned the airport into the second worst in Europe for delays, with more than a quarter of flights taking off at least 15 minutes late, according to the Association of European Airlines.
With a rate exceeded only by Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport, some 25.9 per cent of planes took off behind schedule during the first quarter of this year. The average delay among late flights was 38 minutes.
The main reason was air traffic control problems. This was followed by late arrival, aircraft handling problems, equipment failure and weather. The association said in the final quarter of 2001, Heathrow was the 13th tardiest airport in Europe.
While airports on the continent had improved, partly due to a fall in air traffic since September 11, Heathrow's performance remained static.
A spokeswoman for BAA, which operates Heathrow, blamed the problem on a lack of capacity. She said the building of terminal five would help.
Behind Charles de Gaulle and Heathrow in the waiting stakes were Istanbul, Amsterdam and Madrid. Vienna was the best airport for timekeeping, with only 12.9 per cent of flights delayed.'
As a comparison, the average delay to UK airports in 1998 was 16 minutes (and 14 in 1996). Average Heathrow delay was 14 minutes in 1998 and 16 at Gatwick. Birmingham averaged 8 minutes.
Not just time for Terminal 5, but for a new runway and even a new airport by the sounds of it.
With a rate exceeded only by Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport, some 25.9 per cent of planes took off behind schedule during the first quarter of this year. The average delay among late flights was 38 minutes.
The main reason was air traffic control problems. This was followed by late arrival, aircraft handling problems, equipment failure and weather. The association said in the final quarter of 2001, Heathrow was the 13th tardiest airport in Europe.
While airports on the continent had improved, partly due to a fall in air traffic since September 11, Heathrow's performance remained static.
A spokeswoman for BAA, which operates Heathrow, blamed the problem on a lack of capacity. She said the building of terminal five would help.
Behind Charles de Gaulle and Heathrow in the waiting stakes were Istanbul, Amsterdam and Madrid. Vienna was the best airport for timekeeping, with only 12.9 per cent of flights delayed.'
As a comparison, the average delay to UK airports in 1998 was 16 minutes (and 14 in 1996). Average Heathrow delay was 14 minutes in 1998 and 16 at Gatwick. Birmingham averaged 8 minutes.
Not just time for Terminal 5, but for a new runway and even a new airport by the sounds of it.
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Why does BAA keep on blagging about how T5 will solve all the problems at LHR.
"A new terminal does not a runway make" Unless the curfew(I believe 2300-0600) is changed there are hardly any spare minutes in the day for more departures or arrivals so how on earth will a new terminal increas the number of flights? Surely the runways are almost at capacity now!!
"A new terminal does not a runway make" Unless the curfew(I believe 2300-0600) is changed there are hardly any spare minutes in the day for more departures or arrivals so how on earth will a new terminal increas the number of flights? Surely the runways are almost at capacity now!!
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I take it, Paddington, that you work for BA 'cos it was BA who reported the fact incorrectly! The truth hurts!
LHR is the WORST airport in Europe for delays and the SECOND worst airport WORLDWIDE!
Note how every man-jack of the Long-Haul aircraft moved from LGW to LHR have lost passenger numbers (Houston oil-men now prefer IAH-LGW with Continental, LGW-FRA with BA and FRA-LOS with Lufthansa rather than trek LGW-LHR or IAH-IAD-LHR-LOS!
Obviously BA don't listen to their clientele - LGW is the preferred and more convenient station!
LHR is the WORST airport in Europe for delays and the SECOND worst airport WORLDWIDE!
Note how every man-jack of the Long-Haul aircraft moved from LGW to LHR have lost passenger numbers (Houston oil-men now prefer IAH-LGW with Continental, LGW-FRA with BA and FRA-LOS with Lufthansa rather than trek LGW-LHR or IAH-IAD-LHR-LOS!
Obviously BA don't listen to their clientele - LGW is the preferred and more convenient station!
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How about IAH-AMS-LOS 
Seriously, I`m not the least surprised that Europe`s biggest airports have the worst punctuality problems. Its only logical that the busiest places have the most to suffer from ATC delays. Comes with the territory.
Seriously, I`m not the least surprised that Europe`s biggest airports have the worst punctuality problems. Its only logical that the busiest places have the most to suffer from ATC delays. Comes with the territory.
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Sorry Seat 0A, you're right about IAH-AMS-LOS (except KLM have a lousy record for cancelling the AMS-LOS at short notice!)
The fact is, I work at LGW (for Nigel (BA)) and the "Houston Oilies" (as they're known with affection) have always preferred Gatwick - the one's we come into contact with either have business in London en-route, or ABZ.
Gordon Bethune (President of Continental Airlines) identified (a few years ago) that Gatwick's strengths lay with the Oil Industry connections with British Airways (Aberdeen, Baku, Lagos, Eastern Europe)
One by one, these routes are being shunted up the road to Heathrow - an airport the "Oilies" hate with a vengeance!
Bealine loves his job! He hates BA making decisions which adversely affect his clients!
The fact is, I work at LGW (for Nigel (BA)) and the "Houston Oilies" (as they're known with affection) have always preferred Gatwick - the one's we come into contact with either have business in London en-route, or ABZ.
Gordon Bethune (President of Continental Airlines) identified (a few years ago) that Gatwick's strengths lay with the Oil Industry connections with British Airways (Aberdeen, Baku, Lagos, Eastern Europe)
One by one, these routes are being shunted up the road to Heathrow - an airport the "Oilies" hate with a vengeance!
Bealine loves his job! He hates BA making decisions which adversely affect his clients!
