Long wait ... Qantas has emerged as the worst domestic carrier for delayed flights.
Report assesses domestic carriers
Qantas the worst performer
Company blames pay disputes
QANTAS has the worst record of all domestic airlines for delayed flights, according to a new report.
A federal government report showed more than one in three Qantas flights were affected by delays, compared to just over one in 10 at budget rival Tiger Airways.
Qantas bosses yesterday blamed pay disputes with engineers in recent months for its disappointing record.
"We had limited aircraft availability as a result of overtime bans by our engineers," a spokesman said. "We do everything we can to reduce the impact of delays and cancellations on our customers."
The investigation by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics looked at domestic airlines Jetstar, MacAir, Qantas, QantasLink, Regional Express, Skywest Airlines, Tiger Airways and Virgin Blue.
It examined 47 routes, covering 29 airports, in July.
All airlines for the month averaged 72.7 per cent for on-time departures, 70.2 per cent for on-time arrivals, and 1.1 per cent for cancellations.
Qantas`s website showed problems with delayed flights began in June, at the height of its pay dispute with engineers.
In May, 82 per cent of its domestic flights were on-time, compared to just 68 per cent running on-time in June, and 63 per cent in July.
Steve Purvinas, the federal secretary of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Association, said customers deserved better.
"The ALAEA is currently looking at the on-time issues with Qantas and ways we can work constructively together to get Qantas back on top of the on-time problems," Mr Purvinas said.
"Our dispute with Qantas ended on July 18, and we now have a new agreement in place which 94 per cent of engineers are happy with."
Two weeks ago, a safety review of Qantas confirmed some of the airline`s maintenance procedures were deficient.
The report came after several mishaps, including an explosion on a Melbourne-bound Qantas flight which ripped a 3m hole near the plane`s fuselage.
Sure, Scott, but EVERY flight I've taken or taken people to or picked up from has been late. I've never had such a big problem with Qantas unitl Jetstar started.
Posted by: Pommyman 3:18am today
no way!! You're kidding - i thought they won the award for the worst ever customer service! Wow - they are just cleaning up in the awards department (not the award wages one though...) and I actually think it's more than one in three negative customer service experiences.... (and no, not their engineers...)
Posted by: hmm... of null 3:02am today
How will the unions spin this to blame overseas workers?
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