Wuhan Tianhe Airport achieves nearly 90% on-time departure rate in first half of year, ranking first among major airports in central-southern region

On August 10, it was reported from Wuhan Tianhe International Airport that in the first half of this year, the airport achieved an on-time flight departure rate of 89.59%, a year-on-year increase of 5.63%. Among the nine major airports in the central-southern region, including Zhengzhou, Changsha, Nanning, Haikou, Sanya, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Wuhan, Tianhe Airport ranked first.

An on-time departure refers to a flight leaving its origin according to the time stated on the ticket. For example, if a passenger buys a ticket for a flight from Wuhan to Shanghai at 10:00 AM, including the 25 minutes allocated by the Civil Aviation Administration of China for aircraft pushback, taxiing to the runway, and waiting for takeoff, the flight is considered on time as long as it departs by 10:25 AM.

The Flight Punctuality Management Office of Tianhe Airport’s Operations Command Center (referred to as “AOC”) explained that whether a flight can depart on time depends on two main factors: for “transit flights,” it hinges on whether they arrive at the transfer location “late,” while for origin flights, factors such as air route restrictions must be considered.

Statistics show that nearly 40% of “transit flights” experience delays. So, how does Tianhe Airport ensure these flights depart from Wuhan on time?

The answer lies in a critical intervention mechanism. Measures such as having departing passengers queue early, skipping passenger disembarkation for cleaning, quick meal replenishment, rapid refueling/waste disposal, and priority clearance help reduce the time delayed flights spend in Wuhan.

For flights originating from Wuhan, ensuring on-time departures relies on the AOC taking proactive measures. “For example, if Shanghai Pudong Airport’s routes are congested but Wuhan’s direction is less affected, we must constantly monitor potential time windows to secure on-time departures whenever possible,” the office noted, emphasizing the need for continuous communication between the airport, airlines, and air traffic control.

In 2024, Tianhe Airport’s passenger traffic historically surpassed the 30 million mark. Currently, the airport is focused on becoming an “international gateway + domestic hub,” striving to build the “best domestic transfer airport.” Ensuring flights depart on time is a fundamental condition for attracting passengers to choose Wuhan for their travels.

Last year, Tianhe Airport’s on-time departure rate was close to 86%, ranking among the top of China’s 38 major airports. “Reaching nearly 90% in the first half of the year is a good start. In the second half, we will continue to refine and optimize workflows to minimize controllable factors affecting flight departures, providing more passengers with a seamless travel experience at Tianhe Airport,” the office stated.