Earlier this year, Cirium released its annual On-Time Performance Review for airlines. In 2024, airlines faced many challenges, including cybersecurity disruptions and weather anomalies, yet many airlines demonstrated adaptability and continued their commitment to punctuality. Cirium’s analysis examined the airline industry’s top performers and the strategies behind their success.
Cirium is an aviation analytics company that combines data and analytics to assist the global travel industry. Founded in 1909 (initially launching the world’s first weekly aerospace magazine), it has evolved into a leading aviation industry insights and analytics provider.
Platinum Award for Operational Excellence
Delta received the Platinum Award for Operational Excellence for the fourth year in a row, with an 83.46% on-time performance across over 1.7 million flights. The airline demonstrated remarkable resilience when faced with a significant setback in July 2024 due to a global CrowdStrike software disruption. Delta quickly recovered and returned to industry-leading performance levels by August with an 80.9% on-time rate, followed by an even stronger 87.81% in September.
Global On-Time Award 2024
Aeromexico achieved an outstanding 86.70% punctuality rate across nearly 200,000 flights. Aeromexico’s achievement reflects its strategic investments in fleet modernization and technological advancements, including the expansion to 113 aircraft with an average age of just 7.1 years.
Regional Airline On-Time Winners
North America
Unsurprisingly (thanks to its Platinum status), Delta Air Lines dominated the North American market, maintaining exceptional service standards despite operational challenges. Delta continues to excel thanks to its comprehensive training programs and culture that prioritizes safety and punctuality.
The top ten North American airlines were:
- Delta Air Lines 83.46%
- United Airlines 80.93%
- Alaska Airlines 79.25%
- American Airlines 4 77.78%
- Southwest Airlines 5 77.77%
- Spirit Airlines 6 76.05%
- JetBlue 7 74.53%
- Frontier Airlines 71.57%
- Air Canada 71.36%
- WestJet 70.99%
Asia
Japan Airlines led the region with an 80.90% on-time rate, demonstrating Japanese efficiency and precision in aviation operations.
Europe
Iberia Express topped European carriers with an 84.69% on-time rate.
Central America
Copa Airlines achieved an impressive 88.22% on-time performance.
Middle East & Africa
FlySafair emerged as the regional leader with a remarkable 93.82% on-time rate.
Airport Excellence
While airlines have a lot to do with how punctual their flights are, the airports themselves also play a significant role in punctuality. These are the winners for airport excellence in on-time flights.
Riyadh King Khalid International Airport – Saudi Arabia
The inaugural Airport Platinum Award went to Riyadh King Khalid International Airport, recognizing its exceptional performance in maintaining high punctuality standards, with an 86.65% on-time performance rate.
US Airport – Honolulu International Airport
The airport in the US with the highest on-time performance rate was Honolulu, with an impressive 85.45% rate, followed by Salt Lake City, with an impressive 83.80% rate.
Medium Airport – Panama City Tocumen International Airport
Medium-sized Panama City Tocumen Airport had an outstanding 90.34% punctuality score.
Small Airports: Guayaquil Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport – Ecuador
Smaller airport Guayaquil Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport achieved an impressive 91.38% on-time rate.
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