Source: Chicago Business Journal
Author: Lewis Lazare

United Airlines is reaching into its pocketbook to pay bonuses to employees who have helped the world’s largest carrier achieve its best on-time performance in 10 years.

Chicago-based United Continental Holdings Inc. said today that it exceeded its 80 percent on-time arrival domestic and international performance goals for the month of January. Consequently, it is rewarding eligible employees with a $100 on-time bonus to recognize their performance.

Despite what the airline said were “challenging” weather conditions across its route system, the airline ended January 2013, with an 82.8 percent domestic on-time arrival rate, and an 80.5 percent international on-time rate — the best combined rate in a decade. On-time arrival rates are based on flights arriving with 14 minutes of the scheduled arrival time.

“We are focused on providing improved operational reliability in 2013, and we will continue to invest in the tools, training, equipment, inventory and procedures that will allow us to deliver consistent performance for the entire year,” noted United Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Smisek.

For the past three weeks, United has been forced to operate without its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. There is no indication yet how soon the plane, which has been grounded because of issues with its batteries, will return to the air. But in recent days, reports have indicated it could be months still before the problem is identified and resolved.