IATA Delay Codes were created to help
airlines standardize why a
commercial flight left late from its
departure airport.
Previously every airline had its own system, thus
IATA standardized the format of transmission of delay information into delay
code. These delay codes express who is responsible for the delay and who will be penalized. Normally, these
codes are used in
movement messages sent by
SITA Telex from the departure airport to the destination airport.
An
aircraft on ground costs money, therefore airlines make an effort to
minimize ground time. Very often,
airlines and
aircraft ground handling have contracts based on a
Bonus-Malus system, e..g., penalizing the
handling agent for delays caused by his staff. Several groups of delay codes are qualified as
station delays or
airport delays.
Most
airlines use the 2-digit
numeric codes, but some prefer the
alphanumerical format.
Delay Codes starting with 0 (internal)
Delay codes starting with 0 are used for internal airline purposes. Airlines are free to define these codes and to determine particular application fields.
However the following codes are standard, even if some airlines do not use them:
- 00–05: These codes are left blank so that each airline may develop codes specifically to meet their own individual requirements, e.g., 03: "Three-class system" moving curtain.
- 06: No gate/stand availability due to own airline activity
- 07: Aircraft connection by maintenance
- 08: Aircraft connection by......
...
Read More