IATA delay codes were created to standardise the reporting by airlines of commercial flight departure delays. Previously, every airline had its own system, which made the sharing and aggregation of flight delay information difficult. IATA standardised the flight delay reporting format by using codes that attribute cause and responsibility for the delay; this supports aviation administration and logistics and helps to define any penalties arising. These codes are used in movement messages sent electronically by SITA from the departure airport to the destination airport and also in the internal administration of the airlines, airports and ground handling agents.
An aircraft held on the ground incurs costs, consequently airlines plan operations to minimise ground time. It is common practice for airlines and aircraft ground handling to have contracts based on a bonus–malus system, penalising the causative agent for delays caused. Delay code properties cover nine category sets for delay. Each category set can be described using either a two-digit number code or a two letter alpha code; most airlines use the numeric format, but some prefer the alpha. Messaging standards, such as the AHM 780 Aircraft Movement Message specification, specify that only the numeric codes should be used. Many airlines further subdivide the IATA codes with an additional character, for more granular delay analysis, but these are not standardized. In the AHM 780 specification, the two-character numeric-only codes are sent in the DL and EDL elements along with the time assigned to each code (e.g. DL31/62/0005/0015 showing reason 31 for 5 mins and reason 62 for 15 minutes), and the three-character alphanumeric codes are sent in the DLA element (e.g. DLA31C/62A// showing subreason C for code 31 and subreason A for code 62).
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 and create their own customized delay codes: 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 (OA): 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 (SG): Scheduled ground time less than declared minimum ground time
Delay codes starting with 1 (passenger/baggage)
These Codes are used to describe delays caused by Passenger and Baggage handling.
11 (PD): Late check-in, acceptance of passengers after deadline 12 (PL): Late check-in, congestion in check-in area 13 (PE): Check-in error 14 (PO): Oversales, booking errors 15 (PH): Boarding, discrepancies and paging, missing checked-in passenger at gate 16 (PS): Commercial Publicity, Passenger Convenience, VIP, Press, Ground meals and missing personal items 17 (PC): Catering order, late or incorrect order given to supplier 18 (PB): Baggage processing, sorting, etc. 19 (PW): Reduced Mobility, Boarding/Deboarding of passengers with reduced mobility
Delay codes starting with 2 (cargo/mail)
These Codes are used to describe delays caused by Cargo (21-26) and Mail Handling (27-29).
21 (CD): Documentation, errors, etc. 22 (CP): Late positioning 23 (CC): Late acceptance 24 (CI): Inadequate packing 25 (CO): Oversales, booking errors 26 (CU): Late preparation in warehouse 27 (CE): Mail Oversales, packing, etc. 28 (CL): Mail Late positioning 29 (CA): Mail Late acceptance
Delay codes starting with 3 (handling)
These Codes are used to describe delays caused by aircraft and ramp handling.
31 (GD): Aircraft documentation late or inaccurate, weight and balance (Loadsheet), general declaration, passenger manifest, etc. 32 (GL): Loading, Unloading, bulky/special load, cabin load, lack of loading staff 33 (GE): Loading Equipment, lack of or breakdown, e.g. container pallet loader, lack of staff 34 (GS): Servicing Equipment, lack of or breakdown, lack of staff, e.g. steps 35 (GC): Aircraft Cleaning 36 (GF): Fuelling, Defuelling, fuel supplier 37 (GB): Catering, late delivery or loading 38 (GU): ULD, Containers, pallets, lack of or breakdown 39 (GT): Technical equipment, lack of or breakdown, lack of staff, e.g. pushback
Delay codes starting with 4 (technical) These codes are used to describe technical delay reasons.
41 (TD): Aircraft defects 42 (TM): Scheduled maintenance, late release 43 (TN): Non-scheduled maintenance, special checks and / or additional works beyond normal maintenance 44 (TS): Spares and maintenance equipment, lack of or breakdown 45 (TA): AOG (Aircraft on ground for technical reasons) Spares, to be carried to another station 46 (TC): Aircraft change for technical reasons 47 (TL): Standby aircraft, lack of planned standby aircraft for technical reasons 48 (TV): Scheduled cabin configuration and version adjustment
Delay codes starting with 5 (damage/failure)
These Codes are used to describe damage to aircraft and automated equipment failure.
51 (DF): Damage during flight operations, bird or lightning strike, turbulence, heavy or overweight landing 52 (DG): Damage during ground operations, collisions (other than during taxiing), loading/offloading damage, contamination, towing, extreme weather conditions. 55 (ED): Departure Control System, Check-in, weight and balance (loadcontrol), computer system error, baggage sorting, gate-reader error or problems 56 (EC): Cargo preparation/documentation system 57 (EF): Flight plans 58 (EO): Other computer systems
Delay codes starting with 6 (operation)
These codes are assigned to Operations and Crew caused delays.
61 (FP): Flight plan, late completion or change of flight documentation 62 (FF): Operational requirements, fuel, load alteration 63 (FT): Late crew boarding or departure procedures 64 (FS): Flight deck crew shortage, Crew rest 65 (FR): Flight deck crew special request or error not within operational requirements 66 (FL): Late cabin crew boarding or departure procedures 67 (FC): Cabin crew shortage 68 (FA): Cabin crew error or special request 69 (FB): Captain request for security check, extraordinary
Delay codes starting with 7 (weather)
These Codes explain weather caused delays.
71 (WO): Departure station 72 (WT): Destination station 73 (WR): En route or Alternate 75 (WI): De-Icing of aircraft, removal of ice/snow, frost prevention 76 (WS): Removal of snow/ice/water/sand from airport/runway 77 (WG): Ground handling impaired by adverse weather conditions
Delay codes starting with 8 (air traffic control)
These Codes are used for Air Traffic Control (ATC) Restrictions (81-84) and Airport or Governmental Authorities caused delays.
81 (AT): ATC restriction en-route or capacity 82 (AX): ATC restriction due to staff shortage or equipment failure en-route 83 (AE): ATC restriction at destination 84 (AW): ATC restriction due to weather at destination 85 (AS): Mandatory security 86 (AG): Immigration, Customs, Health 87 (AF): Airport Facilities, parking stands, ramp congestion, buildings, gate limitations, etc. 88 (AD): Restrictions at airport of destination, airport/runway closed due obstruction, industrial action, staff shortage, political unrest, noise abatement, night curfew, special flights, etc. 89 (AM): Restrictions at airport of departure, airport/runway closed due obstruction, industrial action, staff shortage, political unrest, noise abatement, night curfew, special flights, start-up and pushback, etc.
Delay codes starting with 9 (miscellaneous)
Codes used for reactionary reasons or Miscellaneous.
91 (RL): Passenger or Load Connection, awaiting load or passengers from another flight, protection of stranded passengers onto a new flight 92 (RT): Through Check-in error, passenger and baggage 93 (RA): Aircraft rotation, late arrival of aircraft from another flight or previous sector 94 (RS): Cabin crew rotation 95 (RC): Crew rotation, awaiting crew from another flight (flight deck or entire crew) 96 (RO): Operations control, rerouting, diversion, consolidation, aircraft change for reasons other than technical 97 (MI): Industrial action within own airline 98 (MO): Industrial action outside own airline, excluding ATS 99 (MX): Miscellaneous, not elsewhere specified
External links Standard IATA Delay Codes (AHM730)