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JAPAN Airlines has been ranked as the most punctual airline in 2024. The selection was based on the 2024 On-Time Performance Review by Cirium, a UK-based aviation analyst. In addition to airlines, the review also recognized airports that excelled in on-time and operational performance.
Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium, said 2024 was a tough year for airlines, facing major IT outages and unseasonable and severe weather patterns. “Despite these challenges, these airlines and airports have worked tirelessly to ensure their customers have a smooth journey and reach their destinations on time,” he said, as reported by Cirium.
An on-time flight is defined as a flight arriving within 15 minutes of its scheduled arrival gate. For airports, it is defined as departing within 15 minutes of its scheduled departure.
Most punctual airlines
In Asia Pacific, Japan Airlines topped the list of most punctual airlines in 2024, up one spot from 2023. Singapore Airlines has made a remarkable recovery in 2023, moving up to third place from seventh last year. Air New Zealand jumped one spot from fifth in 2023 to fourth in 2024.
Thai AirAsia dropped two spots from 2023, down to fifth in 2024. Vietnam Airlines jumped from ninth in 2023 to sixth in 2024, while Philippine Airlines jumped from eighth place in 2023 to seventh place in 2024.
(1). Japan Airlines, (2). All Nippon Airways, (3). Singapore Airlines, (4). Air New Zealand, (5). Thai AirAsia, (6). Vietnam Airlines, (7). Philippine Airlines, (8). Garuda Indonesia, (9). Cathay Pacific, (10). Qantas Airways.
Garuda Indonesia dropped from sixth place in 2023 to eighth place in 2024. Cathay Pacific jumped from tenth place in 2023 to ninth place in 2024, although its on-time performance dropped several points.
Lastly, IndiGo completely slipped out of the top ten, with newcomer Qantas Airways taking the tenth spot in 2024. Interestingly, IndiGo was in fourth place in 2023. Meanwhile, in the global ranking of the most punctual airlines, Aeromexico, Saudia Airlines and Delta Air Lines were at the top.
Special recognition
Cirium also revealed the most punctual international airports, with King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in first place, Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport in Peru in second place, and Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City in third place.
In addition, Cirium also gave out several special awards. Among them were Delta Air Lines for continuing its winning streak with the Cirium Platinum Award for airlines, Copa Airlines for achieving its 10th title as the Most Punctual Airline in Latin America, Iberia Express for its consistent performance as the Most Punctual Airline in Europe, and Bogotá El Dorado Airport for its first Platinum Award from Cirium for an airport.
“We congratulate all of this year’s On-Time Performance Review winners, each of whom has set a new standard in operational excellence,” concluded Jeremy Bowen. [sources/photo special]
