Most Punctual Airlines, Airports of February 2024

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.

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.

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.

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%.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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%.

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%.

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.

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.

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.