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Alaska Achieves Best On-Time Rate in More Than a Decade
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Reduced air traffic, good weather aid carrier's focus on improvement
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10/2/2008 3:09 p.m.
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With 87.8 percent of flights running on time, Alaska Airlines achieved its best month for on-time performance in September in at least a decade, according to unofficial internal numbers. Not since May 2003, when Alaska's Department of Transportation on-time rate hit 87.4 percent, has the airline's operation performed so well, according to Jim Thorp, manager of operations research and analysis.
This September's record is in stark contrast to the 73.3 percent on-time rate Alaska achieved last year. And while there were fewer passengers overall, load factors were higher this year—75.8 percent compared with 71.8 percent for September 2007.
Employees throughout the system deserve much credit for the stellar performance—which also included a 99.5 percent completion rate—however, external factors also worked in the airline's favor, said Anna Gordon, managing director of System Operations Control.
"On a high level, the biggest factor is the reduced flying in the industry and the positive impact on airspace and airport congestion," Gordon said. "All carriers are experiencing block times much less than planned, including Alaska. That means when they leave on-time, they arrive early, and when they leave a little late, they still arrive on time."
All airlines also benefited from generally mild weather during September—traditionally one of the slower travel months, Gordon added. Official numbers for all airlines won't be released for another month, but it appears several competing carriers probably performed just as well, she said.
Alaska's on-time departure rate in Seattle was even better, with 92 percent of all flights leaving within 15 minutes of the scheduled time, said Ben Minicucci, vice president of Seattle operations.
"The Seattle Operations team is extremely proud of our record September results brought on by the hard work of all employees, vendors and our relentless adherence to process and timelines," Minicucci said. "Our focus now is to sustain this high level of performance into the fourth quarter."
Station managers at Alaska's other hubs said a strong focus on performance and frequent communication has helped sustain a string of excellent operational months that began last spring.
"LAX went into this year with a goal of 90 percent on-time and we have made a point of banging the drum and communicating our goal to all divisions. We have steadily been moving the needle upward," said Kathy Denker, general manager for LAX. "We are a very competitive team in LAX. Every morning, we let everyone know where we are in comparison with Seattle, Anchorage and Portland. If we are not in the number one position, we know we have to work harder. If the morning team takes a services delay, the afternoon team knows they can't take one."
The same attitude prevails in Anchorage, where General Manager Penny Jordahl said employees take ownership and pride in the operation, despite difficult times in the industry.
"There has been a team effort and resourcefulness on everyone's part from the cabin cleaner to the pilot to the ramp lead to the boarding agent," Jordahl said. "We get together twice a day to talk about performance, both looking backward on accomplishments and forward to anticipate any challenges."
An on-time operation has benefited employees and passengers in other ways, Jordahl added, from fewer lost or mishandled bags to enabling agents to spend more time interacting with customers.
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