IATA Delay Codes were created to help airlines 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 codes 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, airlines 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 airlines use the 2-digit numeric codes, but some prefer the alphanumerical format.
Read more about IATA Delay Codes: Delay Codes Starting With 0 (internal), Delay Codes Starting With 1 (passenger/baggage), Delay Codes Starting With 2 (cargo/mail), Delay Codes Starting With 3 (handling), Delay Codes Starting With 4 (technical), Delay Codes Starting With 5 (damage/failure), Delay Codes Starting With 6 (operation), Delay Codes Starting With 7 (weather), Delay Codes Starting With 8 (air Traffic Control), Delay Codes Starting With 9 (miscellaneous)
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