PUNCTUALITY of both scheduled and charter airlines improved during the second quarter of 2003 compared with the same period in 2002 according to figures released last week by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority). The total number of flights operated during April to June this year went up 1% on the corresponding quarter in 2002. During April to June the on-time performance (defined as early to 15 minutes late) of scheduled airlines increased to 78%, compared with 75% during the same period of 2002. Of the 10 airports that were monitored, Luton, Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh recorded a small decrease in on-time performance of scheduled flights. However, across all reporting airports, the average delay fell by two minutes to 12 minutes. The proportion of on-time charter flights increased from 69% in the second quarter of 2002 to 73% in 2003. The average delay fell by three minutes to 20 minutes. Among the top 75 destinations, the scheduled routes to Alicante, Toronto, Barcelona, Faro, and Palma all had lower than average on-time performance and higher than average delays. This was also the case to Rome Fiumicino, Milan (Linate and Malpensa), and Malaga.
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