Flight Punctuality: The Winners and Losers of 2024
Aeromexico Takes the Top Spot
In a surprising turn of events, Aeromexico has been crowned the most punctual global airline of 2024, according to a report by aviation analytics company Cirium. An impressive 86.7% of its tracked flights arrived on time, defined as within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival times. This remarkable achievement marks a significant 9% increase in on-time performance from the previous year.
The Secrets Behind Aeromexico’s Success
Cirium CEO Jeremy Bowen attributes Aeromexico’s success to its strong company culture, investment in new equipment, and effective partnership with its hub at Mexico City International Airport, which ranked fourth for on-time flights among global airports. When both an airline and its hub perform well, it’s a testament to their seamless collaboration.
The Global Rankings
Saudia, formerly known as Saudi Arabian Airlines, took second place with 86.35% of flights arriving on time, followed closely by Delta Air Lines (83.46%), Latam Airlines (82.89%), and Qatar Airways (82.83%). Delta Air Lines was also recognized as the “best global airline for operational excellence” for the fourth consecutive year, thanks to its punctuality and size.
Regional Airlines Shine
Several regional airlines outperformed their global counterparts, with South Africa’s Safair airline boasting an impressive 93.82% on-time performance. Oman Air, Copa Airlines, and Royal Jordanian Airlines also delivered high on-time percentages. In Europe, Iberia Express and Iberia took the top two spots, while Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways led the way in Asia-Pacific.
Airports: The Punctuality Champions
Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport was named the most punctual global airport, with over 86% of its flights departing on time. Panama’s Tocumen International Airport topped the ranking for medium-sized airports, while Ecuador’s Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport was crowned the most punctual small airport in the world.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the successes, on-time flight arrivals dropped by 0.5% in 2024 due to factors such as the Crowd Strike software update and abnormal weather conditions. As the industry continues to face challenges, punctuality remains a critical factor in passenger satisfaction and airline performance.
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