Aviation regulator to probe possible on-time data fudging

Aviation sector regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has set up a committee, headed by Director General B S Bhullar, to probe possible discrepancies in on-time data performance of airlines.

The committee will come out with corrected data by end-February.

DGCA publishes monthly data of domestic airlines, by collating data from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports. This shows how punctual airlines are. 

While the committee will try to correct data, DGCA would publish the numbers for December last year in the meantime, said Bhullar. 

“In view of some discrepancy observed in computation of OTP data, DGCA has constituted a committee to look into the matter to ensure correctness by the end of February,” B S Bhullar head of DGCA told Business Standard. 

IndiGo had, in a letter to DGCA, said there was inconsistency between on-time performance (OTP) data at the Mumbai airport and that from Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM), a joint venture of International Air Transport Association and Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation. The letter has been reviewed by Business Standard.  

“Any inconsistency in data is a matter of grave concern as that gives rise to the doubt as to accuracy… [it] is bound to affect general perception and goodwill of any airline, including IndiGo,” Sanjeev Ramdas, executive vice-president, customer services and operational control, IndiGo, wrote.

Airlines use OTP data for branding. SpiceJet, in full-page advertisements on Wednesday, claimed they were the most punctual airline in the country, according to DGCA records. In 2012, IndiGo had taken a dig at competition by hinting that others fudge OTP data.

According to experts, in a cut-throat market such as India, airlines use punctual performance to build brands.

“People want to get to their destination on schedule, to pursue interests such as meetings. OTP is crucial,” said Steve Forte, a former chief executive officer of Jet Airways.