IATA Delay Codes
Encyclopedia
IATA Delay Codes were created to help airline
s 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 codes. These delay codes express who is responsible for the delay and who will be penalized. Normally, these code
s 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, airline
s 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 airline
s use the 2-digit numeric
codes, but some prefer the alphanumeric
al format.
However the following codes are standard, even if some airlines do not use them:
and Baggage
handling
.
(21-26) and Mail
Handling (27-29).
handling
to aircraft and automated equipment failure.
s and Crew
caused delays.
caused delays.
(ATC) Restrictions (81-84) and Airport or Governmental Authorities caused delays.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
s standardize why a commercial flight left late from its departure
Takeoff
Takeoff is the phase of flight in which an aerospace vehicle goes from the ground to flying in the air.For horizontal takeoff aircraft this usually involves starting with a transition from moving along the ground on a runway. For balloons, helicopters and some specialized fixed-wing aircraft , no...
airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
.
Previously every airline had its own system, thus IATA
International Air Transport Association
The International Air Transport Association is an international industry trade group of airlines headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where the International Civil Aviation Organization is also headquartered. The executive offices are at the Geneva Airport in SwitzerlandIATA's mission is to...
standardized the format of transmission of delay information into delay codes. These delay codes express who is responsible for the delay and who will be penalized. Normally, these code
Code
A code is a rule for converting a piece of information into another form or representation , not necessarily of the same type....
s are used in movement messages sent by SITA
SITA
SITA is a multinational information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry...
Telex
Telegraphy
Telegraphy is the long-distance transmission of messages via some form of signalling technology. Telegraphy requires messages to be converted to a code which is known to both sender and receiver...
from the departure airport to the destination airport.
An aircraft on ground
Aircraft on ground
"Aircraft on Ground" ' is a term in aviation maintenance indicating that a problem is serious enough to prevent an aircraft from flying. Generally there is a rush to acquire the parts to put the aircraft back into service, and prevent further delays or cancellations of the planned itinerary...
costs money, therefore airlines make an effort to minimize ground time
AOG Desk
An AOG Desk is a dedicated aviation manned logistics service. The principal aim of AOG Desk personnel is to obtain the supply of components or services for aircraft in an AOG situation in the shortest possible time...
. Very often, airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
s and aircraft ground handling
Aircraft ground handling
In aviation, aircraft ground handling defines the servicing of an aircraft while it is on the ground and parked at a terminal gate of an airport.-Overview:...
have contracts based on a Bonus-Malus
Bonus-Malus
The term bonus-malus is used for a number of business arrangements which alternately reward or penalize .It is used, for example, in the call center and insurance industries.- Call centers :...
system, e..g., penalizing the handling agent
Aircraft ground handling
In aviation, aircraft ground handling defines the servicing of an aircraft while it is on the ground and parked at a terminal gate of an airport.-Overview:...
for delays caused by his staff. Several groups of delay codes are qualified as station delays or airport delays.
Most airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
s use the 2-digit numeric
Number
A number is a mathematical object used to count and measure. In mathematics, the definition of number has been extended over the years to include such numbers as zero, negative numbers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, and complex numbers....
codes, but some prefer the alphanumeric
Alphanumeric
Alphanumeric is a combination of alphabetic and numeric characters, and is used to describe the collection of Latin letters and Arabic digits or a text constructed from this collection. There are either 36 or 62 alphanumeric characters. The alphanumeric character set consists of the numbers 0 to...
al 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 miscellaneous, traffic, marketing flight operations, ground handling, cabin services, etc.
- 09: ScheduleAirline timetableAirline timetables are booklets that many airlines worldwide use to inform passengers of several different things, such as schedules, fleet, security, in-flight entertainment, food menu, restriction and phone contact information....
d ground time less than declared minimum ground time
Delay Codes starting with 1 (passenger/baggage)
These Codes are used to describe delays caused by PassengerPassenger
A passenger is a term broadly used to describe any person who travels in a vehicle, but bears little or no responsibility for the tasks required for that vehicle to arrive at its destination....
and Baggage
Luggage
Baggage is any number of bags, cases and containers which hold a traveller's articles during transit.Luggage is more or less the same concept as "baggage", but is normally used in relation to the personal luggage of a specific person or persons Baggage is any number of bags, cases and containers...
handling
Handling
Handling stolen goods is the name of a statutory offence in England and Wales and Northern Ireland. It takes place after a theft or other dishonest acquisition is completed and may be committed by a fence or other person who helps the thief to realise the value of the stolen goods...
.
- 11: Late check-inCheck-inCheck-in is the process of announcing your arrival at a hotel, airport, sea port or social network service.-Airlines and airports :Check-in desks are found in the majority of commercial airports. Their main function is to take in luggage that passengers wish to, or are required to, place within the...
, acceptance of passengerPassengerA passenger is a term broadly used to describe any person who travels in a vehicle, but bears little or no responsibility for the tasks required for that vehicle to arrive at its destination....
s after deadlineTime limitA time limit or deadline is a narrow field of time, or particular point in time, by which an objective or task must be accomplished.In project management, deadlines are most often associated with milestone goals.... - 12: Late Check-in, congestion in check-in area
- 13: Check-in error
- 14: Overbooking, booking errors
- 15: Boarding, discrepancies and paging, missing checked-in passenger at gateGateA gate is a point of entry to a space enclosed by walls, or a moderately sized opening in a fence. Gates may prevent or control entry or exit, or they may be merely decorative. Other terms for gate include yett and port...
- 16: Commercial Publicity, Passenger Convenience, VIP, Press, Ground meals and missing personal items
- 17: CateringCateringCatering is the business of providing foodservice at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, public house , or other location.-Mobile catering:A mobile caterer serves food directly from a vehicle or cart that is designed for the purpose...
order, late or incorrect order given to supplierMerchantA merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant... - 18: Baggage processing, sorting, etc.
Delay Codes starting with 2 (cargo/mail)
These Codes are used to describe delays caused by CargoCargo
Cargo is goods or produce transported, generally for commercial gain, by ship, aircraft, train, van or truck. In modern times, containers are used in most intermodal long-haul cargo transport.-Marine:...
(21-26) and Mail
Mail
Mail, or post, is a system for transporting letters and other tangible objects: written documents, typically enclosed in envelopes, and also small packages are delivered to destinations around the world. Anything sent through the postal system is called mail or post.In principle, a postal service...
Handling (27-29).
- 21: A Documentation, errors, etc.
- 22: Late positioning
- 23: Late acceptance
- 24: Inadequate packing
- 25: Overbooking, booking errors
- 26: Late preparation in warehouse
- 27: Mail Oversales, packing, etc.
- 28: Mail Late positioning
- 29: Mail Late acceptance
Delay Codes starting with 3 (handling)
These Codes are used to describe delays caused by aircraft and rampAirport ramp
The airport ramp or apron is part of an airport. It is usually the area where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled or boarded. Although the use of the apron is covered by regulations, such as lighting on vehicles, it is typically more accessible to users than the runway or taxiway...
handling
- 31: Aircraft documentation late or inaccurate, weight and balanceCenter of gravity of an aircraftThe center-of-gravity is the point at which an aircraft would balance if it were possible to suspend it at that point. It is the mass center of the aircraft, or the theoretical point at which the entire weight of the aircraft is assumed to be concentrated. Its distance from the reference datum is...
(Loadsheet), general declaration, passenger manifestPassenger Name RecordIn the travel industry, a passenger name record is a record in the database of a computer reservation system that contains the itinerary for a passenger, or a group of passengers traveling together...
, etc. - 32: Loading, Unloading, bulky/special load, cabin load, lack of loading staff
- 33: Loading Equipment, lack of or breakdownBreakdown (vehicle)A vehicle breakdown is the operational failure of a motor vehicle in such a way that the underlying problem prevents the vehicle from being operated at all, or impedes the vehicle's operation so much, that it is very difficult or nearly impossible, or dangerous to operate, or else at risk of...
, e.g. containerContainerizationContainerization is a system of freight transport based on a range of steel intermodal containers...
palletPalletA pallet , sometimes called a skid, is a flat transport structure that supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, pallet jack, front loader or other jacking device. A pallet is the structural foundation of a unit load which allows handling and storage efficiencies...
loader, lack of staff - 34: Servicing Equipment, lack of or breakdown, lack of staff, e.g. steps
- 35: Aircraft CleaningCleanlinessCleanliness is both the abstract state of being clean and free from dirt, and the process of achieving and maintaining that state.Cleanliness may be endowed with a moral quality, as indicated by the aphorism "cleanliness is next to godliness," and may be regarded as contributing to other ideals...
- 36: Fuelling, DefuellingNuclear fuel cycleThe nuclear fuel cycle, also called nuclear fuel chain, is the progression of nuclear fuel through a series of differing stages. It consists of steps in the front end, which are the preparation of the fuel, steps in the service period in which the fuel is used during reactor operation, and steps in...
, fuel supplier - 37: Catering, late delivery or loading
- 38: ULDUnit Load DeviceA unit load device , is a pallet or container used to load luggage, freight, and mail on wide-body aircraft and specific narrow-body aircraft. It allows a large quantity of cargo to be bundled into a single unit. Since this leads to fewer units to load, it saves ground crews time and effort and...
, ContainersContainerizationContainerization is a system of freight transport based on a range of steel intermodal containers...
, palletPalletA pallet , sometimes called a skid, is a flat transport structure that supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, pallet jack, front loader or other jacking device. A pallet is the structural foundation of a unit load which allows handling and storage efficiencies...
s, lack of or breakdown - 39: Technical equipment, lack of or breakdown, lack of staff, e.g. pushbackPushbackIn aviation, pushback is an airport procedure during which an aircraft is pushed backwards away from an airport gate by external power. Pushbacks are carried out by special, low-profile vehicles called pushback tractors or tugs....
Delay Codes starting with 4 (technical)
These codes are used to describe technical delay reasons.- 41: Aircraft defectWiktionaryWiktionary is a multilingual, web-based project to create a free content dictionary, available in 158 languages...
s - 42: ScheduleAirline timetableAirline timetables are booklets that many airlines worldwide use to inform passengers of several different things, such as schedules, fleet, security, in-flight entertainment, food menu, restriction and phone contact information....
d maintenancePreventive maintenancePreventive maintenance has the following meanings:#The care and servicing by personnel for the purpose of maintaining equipment and facilities in satisfactory operating condition by providing for systematic inspection, detection, and correction of incipient failures either before they occur or...
, late release - 43: Non-scheduled maintenance, special checks and / or additional works beyond normal maintenance
- 44: Spares and maintenance equipment, lack of or breakdown
- 45: AOGAircraft on ground"Aircraft on Ground" ' is a term in aviation maintenance indicating that a problem is serious enough to prevent an aircraft from flying. Generally there is a rush to acquire the parts to put the aircraft back into service, and prevent further delays or cancellations of the planned itinerary...
(Aircraft on ground for technical reasons) Spares, to be carried to another station - 46: Aircraft change for technical reasons
- 47: StandbyStandby powerStandby power, also called vampire power, vampire draw, phantom load, or leaking electricity , refers to the electric power consumed by electronic and electrical appliances while they are switched off Standby power, also called vampire power, vampire draw, phantom load, or leaking electricity...
aircraft, lack of planned standby aircraft for technical reasons - 48: Scheduled cabin configuration and version adjustment
Delay Codes starting with 5 (damage/failure)
These Codes are used to describe damageProperty damage
Property damage is damage to or the destruction of public or private property, caused either by a person who is not its owner or by natural phenomena. Property damage caused by persons is generally categorized by its cause: neglect , and intentional damage...
to aircraft and automated equipment failure.
- 51: Damage during flight operations, birdBirdBirds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
or lightningLightningLightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
strike, turbulenceTurbulenceIn fluid dynamics, turbulence or turbulent flow is a flow regime characterized by chaotic and stochastic property changes. This includes low momentum diffusion, high momentum convection, and rapid variation of pressure and velocity in space and time...
, heavy or overweightOverweightOverweight is generally defined as having more body fat than is optimally healthy. Being overweight is a common condition, especially where food supplies are plentiful and lifestyles are sedentary...
landingLandingthumb|A [[Mute Swan]] alighting. Note the ruffled feathers on top of the wings indicate that the swan is flying at the [[Stall |stall]]ing speed... - 52: Damage during ground operations, collisions (other than during taxiing, loading/offloading damage, contaminationContaminationContamination is the presence of a minor and unwanted constituent in material, physical body, natural environment, at a workplace, etc.-Specifics:"Contamination" also has more specific meanings in science:...
, towing, extreme weather conditions - 55: Departure Control SystemDeparture Control SystemA Departure Control System automates processing an Airlines' Airport management operation. This includes managing the information required for Airport Check-in and printing Boarding card, cargo load control and aircraft checks....
, Check-in, weight and balance (loadcontrol), computer system error, baggage sorting, gate-reader error or problems - 56: Cargo preparation/documentation system
- 57: Flight planFlight planFlight plans are documents filed by pilots or a Flight Dispatcher with the local Civil Aviation Authority prior to departure...
s - 58: Other computer systems
Delay Codes starting with 6 (operation)
These codes are assigned to OperationOperations management
Operations management is an area of management concerned with overseeing, designing, and redesigning business operations in the production of goods and/or services. It involves the responsibility of ensuring that business operations are efficient in terms of using as little resources as needed, and...
s and Crew
Crew
A crew is a body or a class of people who work at a common activity, generally in a structured or hierarchical organization. A location in which a crew works is called a crewyard or a workyard...
caused delays.
- 61: Flight plan, late completion or change of flight documentation
- 62: Operational requirements, fuel, load alteration
- 63: Late crew boardingBoarding (transport)Boarding is a term to describe the entry of passengers onto a vehicle, usually in public transportation. Boarding starts with entering the vehicle and ends with the seating of each passenger and closure of the doors...
or departureTakeoffTakeoff is the phase of flight in which an aerospace vehicle goes from the ground to flying in the air.For horizontal takeoff aircraft this usually involves starting with a transition from moving along the ground on a runway. For balloons, helicopters and some specialized fixed-wing aircraft , no...
procedures - 64: Flight deckFlight deckThe flight deck of an aircraft carrier is the surface from which its aircraft take off and land, essentially a miniature airfield at sea. On smaller naval ships which do not have aviation as a primary mission, the landing area for helicopters and other VTOL aircraft is also referred to as the...
crew shortage, Crew rest - 65: Flight deck crew special request or error
- 66: Late cabin crewCabin CrewCabin Crew are a dance music duo from Sydney, Australia, that consists of Ben Garden and Rob Kittler.-Career:...
boarding or departure procedures - 67: CabinAircraft cabinAn aircraft cabin is the section of an aircraft in which passengers travel. At cruising altitudes of modern commercial aircraft the surrounding atmosphere is too thin to breathe without an oxygen mask, so cabins are pressurized at a higher pressure than ambient pressure at altitude.In commercial...
crew shortage - 68: Cabin crew error or special request
- 69: CaptainPilot in commandThe pilot in command of an aircraft is the person aboard the aircraft who is ultimately responsible for its operation and safety during flight. This would be the "captain" in a typical two- or three-pilot flight crew, or "pilot" if there is only one certified and qualified pilot at the controls of...
request for securitySecuritySecurity is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
check, extraordinary
Delay Codes starting with 7 (weather)
These Codes explain weatherWeather
Weather is the state of the atmosphere, to the degree that it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. Most weather phenomena occur in the troposphere, just below the stratosphere. Weather refers, generally, to day-to-day temperature and precipitation activity, whereas climate...
caused delays.
- 71: DepartureTakeoffTakeoff is the phase of flight in which an aerospace vehicle goes from the ground to flying in the air.For horizontal takeoff aircraft this usually involves starting with a transition from moving along the ground on a runway. For balloons, helicopters and some specialized fixed-wing aircraft , no...
station - 72: Destination station
- 73: EnrouteWiktionaryWiktionary is a multilingual, web-based project to create a free content dictionary, available in 158 languages...
or Alternate - 75: De-Icing of aircraft, removal of ice/snow, frost prevention
- 76: Removal of snow/ice/water/sand from airport/runwayRunwayAccording to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
- 77: Aircraft ground handlingAircraft ground handlingIn aviation, aircraft ground handling defines the servicing of an aircraft while it is on the ground and parked at a terminal gate of an airport.-Overview:...
impaired by adverse weather conditions
Delay Codes starting with 8 (air traffic control)
These Codes are used for Air Traffic ControlAir traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
(ATC) Restrictions (81-84) and Airport or Governmental Authorities caused delays.
- 81: ATC restriction en-route or capacity
- 82: ATC restriction due to staff shortage or equipment failure en-route
- 83: ATC restriction at destination
- 84: ATC restriction due to weather at destination
- 85: Mandatory securitySecuritySecurity is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
- 86: ImmigrationImmigrationImmigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
, CustomsCustomsCustoms is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting and safeguarding customs duties and for controlling the flow of goods including animals, transports, personal effects and hazardous items in and out of a country...
, HealthHealthHealth is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain... - 87: Airport Facilities, parking stands, ramp congestion, buildings, gate limitations, ...
- 88: Restrictions at airport of destination, airport/runwayRunwayAccording to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
closed due obstruction, industrial actionIndustrial actionIndustrial action or job action refers collectively to any measure taken by trade unions or other organised labour meant to reduce productivity in a workplace. Quite often it is used and interpreted as a euphemism for strike, but the scope is much wider...
, staff shortage, political unrest, noiseNoiseIn common use, the word noise means any unwanted sound. In both analog and digital electronics, noise is random unwanted perturbation to a wanted signal; it is called noise as a generalisation of the acoustic noise heard when listening to a weak radio transmission with significant electrical noise...
abatement, night curfew, special flights, ... - 89: Restrictions at airport of departure, airport/runwayRunwayAccording to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
closed due obstruction, industrial actionIndustrial actionIndustrial action or job action refers collectively to any measure taken by trade unions or other organised labour meant to reduce productivity in a workplace. Quite often it is used and interpreted as a euphemism for strike, but the scope is much wider...
, staff shortage, political unrest, noiseNoiseIn common use, the word noise means any unwanted sound. In both analog and digital electronics, noise is random unwanted perturbation to a wanted signal; it is called noise as a generalisation of the acoustic noise heard when listening to a weak radio transmission with significant electrical noise...
abatement, night curfew, special flights, start-up and pushbackPushbackIn aviation, pushback is an airport procedure during which an aircraft is pushed backwards away from an airport gate by external power. Pushbacks are carried out by special, low-profile vehicles called pushback tractors or tugs....
, ...
Delay Codes starting with 9 (miscellaneous)
Codes uses for reactionary reasons or Miscellaneous.- 91: PassengerPassengerA passenger is a term broadly used to describe any person who travels in a vehicle, but bears little or no responsibility for the tasks required for that vehicle to arrive at its destination....
or LoadCargoCargo is goods or produce transported, generally for commercial gain, by ship, aircraft, train, van or truck. In modern times, containers are used in most intermodal long-haul cargo transport.-Marine:...
ConnectionPermeability (spatial and transport planning)Permeability or connectivity describes the extent to which urban forms permit movement of people or vehicles in different directions. The terms are often used interchangeably, although differentiated definitions also exist...
, awaiting load or passengers from another flightFlightFlight is the process by which an object moves either through an atmosphere or beyond it by generating lift or propulsive thrust, or aerostatically using buoyancy, or by simple ballistic movement....
. ProtectionSafetySafety is the state of being "safe" , the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be...
of stranded passengers onto a new flight. - 92: Through Check-in error, passenger and bagage
- 93: Aircraft rotation
- 94: Cabin crew rotation
- 95: Crew rotation (entire or cockpitCockpitA cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft. Most modern cockpits are enclosed, except on some small aircraft, and cockpits on large airliners are also physically separated from the cabin...
crew) - 96: Operations control, rerouting, diversion, consolidation, aircraft change for reasons other than technical
- 97: Industrial action within own airline
- 98: Industrial action outside own airline
- 99: Miscellaneous, not elsewhere specified