KPI for airline punctuality to be introduced, says Anthony Loke

KUALA LUMPUR: The punctuality of local airlines will be monitored through a set of key performance indicators, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He told the Dewan Rakyat that the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) is currently in the process of setting the KPI to track airlines, adding that it is is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2024.

Loke then said that Mavcom is also looking to set the percentage of flight cancellations for airline operators in the country.

“Based on the on-time performance of domestic flights, local airline operators have recorded an achievement of 79% for the third quarter of 2023 compared to the second quarter in the same year at 82%,” he said.

Loke said this during the Ministerial Question Time on Thursday (Nov 16) in reply to a supplementary question by Oscar Ling Chai Yew (PH-Sibu).

Ling wanted to know the state of the on-time performance of domestic flights for 2022-2023 and the measures taken to protect passengers from flight delays or cancellations.

Replying to Ling, Loke added that Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia were ranked the lowest on flight punctuality for domestic flights rating at 74%.

An airline’s on-time performance is the most common benchmark for airline reliability, measured by an aircraft’s arrival at the gate within 15 minutes of the scheduled time.

SKS Airways recorded the highest on-time performance for domestic flights at 95%, followed by MASwings at 93%, Batik Air Malaysia at 82% and Firefly with a 77% rating.

Loke said the ministry has been monitoring the on-time performance of airline companies and called on local operators to manage their schedules efficiently.

He added that Mavcom is planning to take action against airline operators if they fail to ensure services following the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016 that stipulate the levels and minimum standards of service by airline operators.

“The ministry is looking to set an on-time performance target for the airlines. If they fail to achieve the target, there is a possibility that they will face action from the ministry,” he said.