Schedule Coordination System Cuts Delays at Perth Airport

The implementation of a new Schedule Coordination System at Perth Airport has had a positive impact, with early indications showing a reduction of more than 60% in both arrivals and departures ground delays.

The new system, commonly referred to as ‘slots’, was implemented as a means of balancing demand and capacity at the airport. Ground based delays for arrivals have reduced to 2.6 minutes, and 2 minutes for departures.

Perth Airport Chief Executive Officer, Brad Geatches, said the new system more closely balances demand and capacity during busy periods by centrally coordinating the departures and arrivals flight times of the many airlines operating at Perth Airport.

“Schedule Coordination is a demand management tool that enables us to provide more consistent arrivals and departures performance from the current airfield and airspace infrastructure, it provides greater certainty for airlines and their customers and, importantly, reduces costs borne by airlines,” Mr Geatches said. “This system maximises the efficiency of the airfield, and the cumulative impact of delays on operations throughout the day is significantly reduced. We have been particularly pleased with the support of airlines and Airservices Australia and acknowledge that, without their input, the system would not have been possible.”

Alliance Airlines Managing Director, Scott McMillan said, “It is fantastic to see the reduction in arrival and departure ground delays as a result of the schedule coordination system. The feedback we have received from our clients, particularly those in the resources sector, is that it has provided certainty and greater operational efficiency.”

A comparison of daily arrivals and departures ground based delay reports over a two week period in January 2013, prior to implementation, and a similar period in April 2013, post implementation, shows a:

- 64% reduction in total minutes for arrivals ground delay from 1675 minutes to 598 minutes.

- 69% reduction in average arrivals delay allocated to each flight from 8.3 minutes to 2.6 minutes.

- 75% reduction in total minutes of departures ground delay from 903 minutes to 227 minutes.

- 77% reduction in average departures delay allocated to each flight from 9 minutes to 2 minutes.

The maximum individual delay given to departing flights (on average, on a daily basis) reduced by 50% which is a significant improvement.