NEWCASTLE Airport is flying high in a national survey published yesterday.

The airport has scored some of the top marks in the latest punctuality statistics released by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

David Laws, senior manager of passenger services at Newcastle, said : "These latest figures demonstrate the consistently high standard achieved and reflect the successful teamwork involved.

"We are not, however, complacent and will continue to work towards maintaining and improving our performance."

The airport scored the lowest delay time for scheduled flights in the country. The CAA statistics for January to March show an average delay of 11 minutes, a reduction of three minutes on 2001.

The airport was also top for charter flights. Passengers experienced an average delay of 18 minutes at Newcastle, which is 13 minutes less than last year.

The percentage of scheduled flights running on time was ranked second in the country at 80 per cent, only one per cent less than the highest score achieved in the survey. The figures show that 80 per cent of all scheduled flights were on time during the first quarter of this year, up three per cent compared with the same period last year.

An average of 69 per cent of charter flights took off on time in the same period - up by five per cent on the same quarter last year.

Angela Cook, chairman of the airport operator's committee at Newcastle Airport, said: "Airlines, handling agents and the airport all have a part to play in ensuring that flights are punctual.

"I am delighted that the close working relationships we have developed, between internal and external agencies based at Newcastle Airport, have achieved such impressive results."