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. Many airlines further subdivide the IATA codes with an additional character, for more granular delay analysis, but these are not standardized.
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 activity07: Aircraft connection by maintenance08: Aircraft connection by miscellaneous, traffic, marketing flight operations, ground handling, cabin services, etc.09 (SG): Scheduled ground time less than declared minimum ground timeThese Codes are used to describe delays caused by Passenger and Baggage handling.
11 (PD): Late check-in, acceptance of passengers after deadline12 (PL): Late Check-in, congestion in check-in area13 (PE): Check-in error14 (PO): Oversales, booking errors15 (PH): Boarding, discrepancies and paging, missing checked-in passenger at gate16 (PS): Commercial Publicity, Passenger Convenience, VIP, Press, Ground meals and missing personal items17 (PC): Catering order, late or incorrect order given to supplier18 (PB): Baggage processing, sorting, etc.19 (PW): Reduced Mobility, Boarding/Deboarding of passengers with reduced mobilityThese Codes are used to describe delays caused by Cargo (21-26) and Mail Handling (27-29).
21 (CD): Documentation, errors, etc.22 (CP): Late positioning23 (CC): Late acceptance24 (CI): Inadequate packing25 (CO): Oversales, booking errors26 (CU): Late preparation in warehouse27 (CE): Mail Oversales, packing, etc.28 (CL): Mail Late positioning29 (CA): Mail Late acceptanceDelay 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 staff33 (GE): Loading Equipment, lack of or breakdown, e.g. container pallet loader, lack of staff34 (GS): Servicing Equipment, lack of or breakdown, lack of staff, e.g. steps35 (GC): Aircraft Cleaning36 (GF): Fuelling, Defuelling, fuel supplier37 (GB): Catering, late delivery or loading38 (GU): ULD, Containers, pallets, lack of or breakdown39 (GT): Technical equipment, lack of or breakdown, lack of staff, e.g. pushbackThese codes are used to describe technical delay reasons.
41 (TD): Aircraft defects42 (TM): Scheduled maintenance, late release43 (TN): Non-scheduled maintenance, special checks and / or additional works beyond normal maintenance44 (TS): Spares and maintenance equipment, lack of or breakdown45 (TA): AOG (Aircraft on ground for technical reasons) Spares, to be carried to another station46 (TC): Aircraft change for technical reasons47 (TL): Standby aircraft, lack of planned standby aircraft for technical reasons48 (TV): Scheduled cabin configuration and version adjustmentThese 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 landing52 (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 problems56 (EC): Cargo preparation/documentation system57 (EF): Flight plans58 (EO): Other computer systemsThese codes are assigned to Operations and Crew caused delays.
61 (FP): Flight plan, late completion or change of flight documentation62 (FF): Operational requirements, fuel, load alteration63 (FT): Late crew boarding or departure procedures64 (FS): Flight deck crew shortage, Crew rest65 (FR): Flight deck crew special request or error66 (FL): Late cabin crew boarding or departure procedures67 (FC): Cabin crew shortage68 (FA): Cabin crew error or special request69 (FB): Captain request for security check, extraordinaryThese Codes explain weather caused delays.
71 (WO): Departure station72 (WT): Destination station73 (WR): En route or Alternate75 (WI): De-Icing of aircraft, removal of ice/snow, frost prevention76 (WS): Removal of snow/ice/water/sand from airport/runway77 (WG): Ground handling impaired by adverse weather conditionsThese 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 capacity82 (AX): ATC restriction due to staff shortage or equipment failure en-route83 (AE): ATC restriction at destination84 (AW): ATC restriction due to weather at destination85 (AS): Mandatory security86 (AG): Immigration, Customs, Health87 (AF): Airport Facilities, parking stands, ramp congestion, buildings, gate limitations, ...88 (AD): Restrictions at airport of destination, airport/runway closed due obstruction, industrial action, staff shortage, political unrest, noise abatement, night curfew, special flights, ...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, ...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 baggage93 (RA): Aircraft rotation, late arrival of aircraft from another flight or previous sector94 (RS): Cabin crew rotation95 (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 technical97 (MI): Industrial action within own airline98 (MO): Industrial action outside own airline, excluding ATS99 (MX): Miscellaneous, not elsewhere specifiedPG-collecting excess hand baggage at boarding gate.
