Two Spanish airlines were the most punctual operators for flights in 2023, Cirium, an aviation analytics company, has revealed.
According to a report, the leading airlines in Europe were Iberia Express (I2) and Iberia (IB), both Spanish, holding first and second on-time ranking, VisaGuide.World reports.
These two companies had on-time arrival rates of 84.58 and 84.38 percent, respectively, while a total of 40,985 and 170,750 flights were operated. An on-time flight is defined as a flight that arrives within 15 minutes of the scheduled gate arrival. For an airport, it is defined as departing within 15 minutes of its scheduled departure.
| Airport | On time ranking | On time departure | Total flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) | 1 | 84.44% | 289,817 |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) | 2 | 84.42% | 168,426 |
| Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) | 3 | 84.08% | 237,461 |
| El Dorado International Airport (BOG) | 4 | 84.01% | 292,486 |
| Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) | 5 | 83.99% | 226,705 |
The list of the top five airlines in Europe is further concluded, with Austrian Airlines (OS) ranked third, with an 82.99 percent rate for on-time arrival and 113,587 flights, also representing the airline with the most flights operated.
LOT Polish Airlines (LO) and Norwegian Air Shuttle (DY) operated 96,112 and 82,791 flights, respectively, ranking fourth and fifth. As per their punctuality, LOT Polish Airlines (LO) had an on-time arrival rate of 82.83 percent, while its competitor Norwegian Air Shuttle (DY) operated on-time arrivals in 82.75 percent of the flights.
The report also revealed that Iberian Express (I2) was the fifth leading low-cost carrier, with 83.58 percent on-time arrival rates.
While the Spanish carrier topped the European list for most-punctual airlines, the Colombian Avianca Airlines (AV) led the global list, with an on-time arrival rate of 85.73 percent and 213,039 total flights.
In addition, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in the United States was ranked first among the top-performing global airports of 2023, with an 84.44 percent on-time departure rate.
| Airline | On time ranking | On time arrival | Total flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | |||
| Delta Air Lines (DL) | 1 | 84.72% | 1,635,486 |
| Alaska Airlines (AS) | 2 | 82.25% | 404,925 |
| American Airlines (AA) | 3 | 80.61% | 1,998,844 |
| United Airlines (UA) | 4 | 80.04% | 1,513,432 |
| Southwest Airlines (WN) | 5 | 76.26% | 1,459,926 |
| Europe | |||
| Iberia Express (I2) | 1 | 84.58% | 40,985 |
| Iberia (IB) | 2 | 84.38% | 170,750 |
| Austrian Airlines (OS) | 3 | 82.99% | 113,587 |
| LOT Polish Airlines (LO) | 4 | 82.83% | 96,112 |
| Norwegian Air Shuttle (DY) | 5 | 82.75% | 82,791 |
| Latin America | |||
| Copa Airlines (CM) | 1 | 89.46% | 115,657 |
| Avianca Airlines (AV) | 2 | 85.73% | 213,039 |
| Azul Airlines (AD) | 3 | 85.51% | 310,972 |
| LATAM Airlines (LA) | 4 | 84.00% | 508,721 |
| Caribbean Airlines (BW) | 5 | 81.73% | 26,644 |
| Asia Pacific | |||
| All Nippon Airways (NH) | 1 | 82.75% | 302,279 |
| Japan Airlines (JL) | 2 | 82.58% | 308,302 |
| Thai AirAsia (FD) | 3 | 82.52% | 113,871 |
| IndiGo (6E) | 4 | 82.12% | 678,446 |
| Air New Zealand (NZ) | 5 | 79.68% | 175,876 |
| Middle East & Africa | |||
| Oman Air (WY) | 1 | 92.53% | 45,908 |
| Safair (FA) | 2 | 92.36% | 55,444 |
| Royal Air Jordanian (RJ) | 3 | 87.51% | 32,706 |
| Qatar Airways (QR) | 4 | 85.11% | 183,090 |
| Etihad Airways (EY) | 5 | 82.90% | 65,376 |
In North America, Delta Air Airlines (DL) ranked first, with an 84.72 percent rate of on-time arrival, followed by Alaska Airlines (82.25 percent), American Airlines (80.61 percent), United Airlines (80.04 percent) and Southwest Airlines (76.26 percent).
It’s incredible to witness Delta Air Lines winning its third consecutive Platinum Award and topping the North American Category. Other airline and airport winners steered through the year’s operational hurdles with exceptional performance. Their relentless pursuit of efficiency and punctuality is commendable as we venture into 2024, a year brimming with promise for the aviation sector.
The Asia Pacific region’s leading airports were All Nippon Airways (82.75 percent), followed by Japan Airlines (82.58 percent), Thair AirAsia (82.52 percent) and IndiGo (82.12 percent).
Oman Air (WY) was the most punctual airline in the Middle East and Africa, as well as globally, with a 92.53 percent on-time arrival. Among low-cost carriers, Safair was on time for arrivals in 92.36 percent of 55,444 total flights it operated, being the leading airline among low-cost carriers for 2023.