What Are the Primary Factors that Cause Flight Delays

 On the departures board, the dreaded D-word has appeared next to your flight: flight delayed. Panic gradually sweeps around the lounge. 

Meanwhile, you wait, watch, and wonder: Will I miss my connecting flight?

How common are flight delays?

We are used to running to the airport like clockwork - schedules, rules, screening, it’s all numbers & tech all measured & well controlled, but if you stop for a minute to think about how complex flying is you will be amazed to know that 80% of flights depart on time. 

Departing on time is such an impressive feat that flight seats even have an annual award for on-time excellence. 

Many things can go wrong in the remaining 20% which means that the reason for flight delays are quite few but the good news is that depending on the cause you may be entitled to compensation. So if you are ready for a short ride while you are waiting, let's review the basic cause for flight delays.

What are the main reasons for flight delays?

So the US Bureau of transportation statistics classifies flight delay into several categories, according to the data:

• 40% of flight delays are caused by the late arrivals of aircraft.

• 25% of disruptions are the result of a National Aviation System decision.

• 5% are caused by bad weather conditions.

• 30% of delays are caused by air carriers. This can be your favorite as in this you can get flight compensation of up to 600 Euro under EC 261. 

How can you claim compensation for a delayed flight?

When operated by a European airline, EC 261 applies to all Budget Airfare departing from the EU and arriving in Europe (say a British Airways flight NY-London). The amount of your compensation is determined by the distance of your flight and the length of the delay.

JetOcost checks your eligibility for flight delay compensation in under a minute. Simply enter the specifics of your travel into our free compensation calculator.

The jetOcost team can assist you in claiming your proper reimbursement for your delayed flight.

Maintenance issues

Before departure, pilots do final checks and notify the ground staff if anything is awry. The airline is responsible for resolving the problem and ensuring your safety during the journey. This, however, takes time and might result in the dreaded flight delayed notification.

I understand how aggravating it is, but you must acknowledge that it is preferable to have all problems resolved while you are still on the ground.

Crew problems

We are all aware that an aircraft cannot take off without the presence of pilots and flight attendants. Therefore your trip may be delayed since the plane is waiting for the crew that generally comes from another flight. Keep in mind that major hubs usually have staff on standby. Hence, if someone calls in ill right before your flight, a colleague is most likely hurrying to the airport to service your aircraft.

Airport staff strikes

These things happen all the time, and thousands of travelers are affected when flights are delayed or canceled. Employees have various requests, such as additional vacation days, better working conditions, and so on.

The typical suspect, France, is a recent example. During the previous transportation strike, 10% of flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) were canceled, while 13% were delayed.

Read this post to find out if you are entitled to flight delay compensation due to a strike.

Aircraft cleaning and preparation

Because planes are so expensive, airlines aim to keep them in the air as often as possible. After landing, a plane is cleaned, refueled, and prepped for the next journey. As a result, potential concerns during the preparation process include:

• fuel being late

• Catering is unable to locate your aircraft. Airline food may not be your favorite, but it is required - the pilot cannot take off until the meal has been brought and is ready to serve.

• More time is required for the crew to clean the plane and prepare it for the next journey.

Baggage loading

The loading of all luggage is part of the plane's preparation for takeoff. It also requires time and specialized personnel to complete, so if someone calls in or is late for work for whatever reason, passengers and pilots must wait before departure.

Extreme Weather

Contrary to popular belief, this is only the cause of delays in roughly 5% of instances. Furthermore, because it qualifies as 'exceptional circumstances,' the airline is often not accountable for terrible weather delays.

It should be noted that planes may depart even in adverse weather because contemporary aircraft can endure thunderstorms. It takes extraordinary weather conditions - a hurricane, tornado, or snowstorm - to delay your jet from taking off.

Keep in mind that weather delays planes at all times, whether they are departing, on the route, or arriving. No plane would take off if the weather at the destination location was prohibitively bad, forcing the pilot to loop about and spend fuel while waiting for the skies to clear.

Non-extreme weather

Due to poor visibility, ATC may sometimes keep planes on the ground. Although the weather is not prohibitive in this situation, things must go at a slower speed and with greater prudence.

Airports and the Federal Aviation Agency can generally decrease these delays.

Airport operations

Airports are prone to disasters as well. Runways get flooded or snow must be removed before planes can take off.

Likewise, ground crews frequently confront difficult situations, such as dealing with irate passengers when their flight is canceled or delayed. They can also go on strike, like pilots and flight attendants, to seek greater salaries or better working conditions.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) restrictions

Every three seconds, an aircraft reportedly enters the European sky. Nevertheless, aviation traffic is increasing year after year. According to data, 2019 will establish a new record for the number of scheduled passengers with about 4.6 billion - around 130 percent more than in 2004.

Large airports such as London Heathrow and Dubai International are the most affected, with planes departing and arriving every few seconds. Therefore, if you're traveling from one of the world's biggest airports, especially early in the morning, you could encounter the dreaded delayed flight notice.

The reason for this is that it is frequently difficult for Air Traffic Control to follow heavy traffic. Its equipment is out of date, and employees require time to evaluate data and have a better understanding of what is going on.

Certain Book Flights are delayed to minimize misunderstanding and to assure your safety.

Late-arriving aircraft

The most prevalent cause of flight delays is the aircraft's late arrival. When an aircraft scheduled to conduct your flight is delayed on its previous journey, the so-called knock-on effect develops.

The particular information will determine whether you are entitled to compensation under EC261 in this scenario. Keep in mind that only "exceptional circumstances" absolve the airline of obligation.

Security

Aviation security and safety are top considerations; after all, flying is the safest means of transportation.

Passenger safety and security

Although no one enjoys lengthy lines, dumpsters, or invasions of privacy, these measures exist to safeguard your safety. Nonetheless, they may take longer than intended, resulting in a flight delay.

Aircraft safety and security

Planes are also examined before takeoff and must get approval to depart. Furthermore, after they arrive at their ultimate destination, they must prepare for their new trip and go through a unique procedure to be cleared to fly again. If any problems arise throughout this procedure, they must be rectified, which takes time and, of course, may result in a delay.