DALLAS — In today's competitive aviation industry, airlines and airports must ensure a smooth and timely travel experience. Passengers prioritize airlines and airports that consistently deliver on-time performance and stand out.
Based on data compiled by Cirium, this article explores the airlines and airports that excelled in on-time performance during February 2024. Regions categorize the airlines, whereas airports are classified by size.
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Most Punctual Airlines in February 2024
For this analysis, an on-time departure is considered a flight that arrives at the gate within 15 minutes of its scheduled time. This industry standard provides a benchmark for evaluating an airline's operational efficiency and commitment to punctuality.
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Global Airlines
Leading the global airlines in February 2024 is Aeromexico (AM), achieving an on-time performance (OTP) of 90.66%. This marked a significant 12.5-point increase compared to January’s performance of 78.13%, making the Mexican flag carrier a standout achiever for the month.
Hot on Aeromexico's heels is Delta Air Lines (DL), which had a commendable on-time performance of 89.27%. Iberia (IB) rounds out the global punctual airlines, demonstrating its focus on punctuality with an on-time performance of 88.08%.
United Airlines (UA) and Azul (AD) followed the above three carriers with an OTP of 84.91% and 84.83% respectively.
For the Global airlines category, Cirium considers the Top 10% of all passenger airlines by Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs), flights, and seats. Moreover, the airline must also serve at least three regions.
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North American Airlines
DL maintained its dominance among North American carriers, achieving an OTP of 89.27%, marking nearly a 10-point surge from the previous month. In February, North American carriers witnessed an improvement in OTP due to a significant 77% reduction in canceled flights.
Following closely behind is UA, with an on-time departure rate of 84.91%. American Airlines (AA) rounds out the major airlines in the region, achieving an on-time performance of 84.43%.
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Asia Pacific Airlines
Singapore Airlines (SQ) emerged as the Asia Pacific (APAC) leader with an on-time performance of 84.12% in February 2024. SQ was followed by All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Cathay Pacific (CX) with an OTP of 82.85% and 82.03% respectively.
Additionally, the APAC region experienced a significant 21% decrease in canceled flights compared to January 2024.
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European Airlines
In Europe, Austrian Airlines (OS) retained its position at the top with an OTP of 92.96%, highlighting improvement over the previous month. Iberia Express (I2) follows closely behind with an OTP of 90.15%. Aegean Airlines (A3), ITA Airways (AZ), and Vueling (VY) also secured higher OTP in the region, with an average OTP of over 90% among these five.
February witnessed considerable OTP enhancements across most airlines in Europe, accompanied by a 7% decrease in canceled flights.
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Middle East, African Airlines
Despite a slight decrease in OTP for most airlines, the Middle East & Africa region witnessed a notable 35% reduction in canceled flights in February.
Safair (FA) emerged as the regional leader with an impressive OTP of 93.96%, followed by Oman Air (WY), and Gulf Air (GF). FA led both the Middle East & Africa region and the Low-Cost Carrier category last month.
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Latin American Airlines
Latin America also experienced a 35% reduction in flight cancellations in February, with Copa Airlines (CM) emerging as the region’s most punctual airline with an OTP of 91.66%.
Aeromexico (AM) and Caribbean Airlines (BW) follow closely behind, achieving an on-time performance of 90.66% and 87.94%, respectively.
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Low-Cost Carriers
Low-cost carriers (LCC) increasingly focus on on-time performance to compete effectively. In February 2024, Safair (FA), a South African low-cost carrier, topped the category with an exceptional on-time performance of 93.96%.
Iberia Express (I2), a Spanish low-cost carrier, follows closely behind with an OTP of 90.15%. Yet another Spanish carrier, Vueling (VY) rounded off the LCC category with an on-time performance of 89.11%.
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Most Punctual Airports in February 2024
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) led the global airports in on-time performance in February 2024, with an on-time departure rate of 89.95%.
Vienna International Airport (VIE) is closely behind, with an on-time departure rate of 89.39%. The podium is completed by Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), maintaining its reputation for reliability with an on-time departure rate of 89.04%.
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Large Airports
Among large airports, Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) once again clinched the top spot with an on-time departure rate of 89.95%, with VIE and DTW rounding out the top three.
Cirium has categorized airports by percentile, and a large airport serves between the 75th and 100th percentile by total flights served in a month, with an actual gate departure coverage of 80% or better.
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Medium Airports
In the medium airports category, Tocumen International Airport (PTY) emerges as the frontrunner with an on-time departure rate of 93.88%.
Moreover, Japan’s Osaka International Airport (ITM) and Brasilia International Airport (BSB) also performed well, with on-time departure rates of 89.99% and 88.89%, respectively.
A medium airport serves between the 50th and 75th percentile by total flights served in a month. These airports typically serve between 15,000,000 and 25,000,000 travelers annually.
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Small Airports
Among small airports worldwide, Rhodes Airport (RHO) in Greece claimed the top spot with an impressive on-time departure rate of 96.30%.
Following closely behind is Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA), which maintained an on-time departure rate of 93.39% in February 2024. El Salvador International Airport (SAL) also maintained an on-time departure rate of 93.02%.
A small airport serves between the 25th and 50th percentile by total flights served in a month, with an actual gate departure coverage of 80% or better.