| 40% of flights are late:Study. |
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 The aviation ministry has now come to realise what frequent fliers have long been complaining -most flights don't stick to schedules. The ministry recently started daily monitoring of flight movement schedules at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, and has found nearly 40% of the average 1,600 flights daily from these places don't go on time.A mix of reasons is responsible for these days-- airport constraints, security checks and airline checking processes. Airlines are being closely monitored to see if lapses in their procedures are adding to the problem. "All airline CEO's were called to the ministry and asked to stick to schedules as much as possible within the constraint of infrastructure,"said a senior official. The CEOs were told if laxity on their part continues, the allocation of future schedules could be hit. Apart from hastening checkins and baggage loading, the authorities have insisted on improved aircraft maintenance. "Efficiency of airline staff is a big factor in flights leaving and arriving on time,"said an offical. "Airlines not sticking to schedules leads to flights arriving at destinations at a slot not meant for them and queue up for landing," said a senior offical. The government has asked airline staff to ensure check-ins happen on time and that morning flight leave as per schedule.
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