SAUDIA, Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, has earned a prestigious spot as the second most punctual airline globally, according to Cirium’s 2024 aviation performance report. The airline achieved an impressive on-time performance rate of 86.35%, underscoring its dedication to operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
Cirium’s annual analysis revealed Aeromexico as the most punctual airline, with 86.7% of its flights arriving within the specified timeframe. This represents a remarkable 9% improvement for the Mexican carrier over its 2023 performance—a development Cirium lauded as “extraordinary progress” during a press briefing.
Delta Air Lines secured the third spot with an 83.46% on-time rate despite facing significant disruptions mid-year due to a software malfunction that temporarily halted global aviation operations. Although Delta’s recovery was slower than some competitors’, it demonstrated resilience, ultimately stabilizing its performance.
Global Rankings and Regional Insights
SAUDIA’s remarkable achievement places it ahead of several leading global carriers, reinforcing its position as a reliable choice for international travelers. The top 10 airlines in Cirium’s 2024 punctuality rankings are:
- Aeromexico: 86.7%
- SAUDIA: 86.35%
- Delta Air Lines: 83.46%
- LATAM Airlines: 82.89%
- Qatar Airways: 82.83%
- Azul Airlines: 82.42%
- Avianca: 81.80%
- Iberia: 81.58%
- Scandinavian Airlines: 81.4%
- United Airlines: 80.93%
In the Asia-Pacific region, punctuality leaders included Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Singapore Airlines. At the same time, Europe’s top performers were Iberia Express and its parent company, Iberia, both headquartered in Madrid.
Methodology and Insights
Cirium’s analysis incorporates over 25 million daily data points from 600 sources, with a flight classified as punctual if it arrives within 14 minutes and 59 seconds of its scheduled time.
Mike Malik, Cirium’s marketing director, highlighted the significance of these rankings. “SAUDIA’s outstanding performance reflects a deep commitment to operational reliability. Similarly, Aeromexico’s top ranking marks a triumphant return to prominence following its emergence from bankruptcy in 2022.”
The report also noted Aeromexico’s technological advancements, which have significantly enhanced its punctuality and profitability. In May 2024, the airline submitted an application for an initial public offering in the U.S., seeking $500 million in funding to sustain its momentum.
Challenges and Progress in the Industry
The rankings shed light on both challenges and improvements across the aviation industry. Delta Air Lines, for instance, rebounded strongly, achieving a 91% on-time rate in August 2024 despite earlier disruptions. Similarly, United Airlines ranked tenth globally but second in the U.S., reflecting steady growth in performance.
Conversely, Alaska Airlines faced a setback, with its punctuality dropping by three percentage points to 79.25%, leading to a decline in its rankings. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines demonstrated resilience, overcoming operational challenges to secure a higher punctuality rate of 77.77%.
SAUDIA’s Path to Excellence
SAUDIA’s second-place ranking highlights its commitment to enhancing its operational standards, aligning seamlessly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. As passenger demand across Asia and the Middle East grows, SAUDIA is poised to expand its influence in global aviation.
With global punctuality trends improving annually by 1% to 2%, SAUDIA and its peers are expected to continue setting higher benchmarks for reliability in the years to come.
