Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, emerged among the top five airlines for arrival On-Time Performance (OTP-A) and 1st globally in departure On-Time Performance (OTP-D) in the latest “The Monthly On-Time Performance Report – May 2024” by Cirium.
The report reveals that Saudia achieved a 90.36 percent on-time departure rate and an 86.09 percent on-time arrival rate in May, operating 15,416 flights.
This makes Saudia the most improved airline in May. In addition, King Khalid International Airport (RUH), the main hub of Saudia, ranked first under the global airports category in May. The airport achieved an OTP of 88.23 percent, up from 86.77 percent in April.
Successful execution of plan
This achievement reflects the successful execution of the first phase of Saudia’s operational plan during this year’s Hajj season. Moreover, it underscores the airline’s commitment to maintaining punctual schedules and seasonal flights, connecting over 100 destinations across four continents.
In addition, Saudia’s launch has contributed to a rise in arrivals to Saudi Arabia, supporting sectors such as tourism, finance, business, entertainment and sports.
“By utilizing the latest smart digital systems in our premium Saudia Operations Building, we manage flight operations with cutting-edge technology. This dedication to efficiency, along with the relentless efforts of our teams who meticulously handle flight schedules year-round and during peak seasons, has resulted in this outstanding On-Time Performance,” stated Ibrahim Al-Omar, director general of Saudia Group.
Saudia’s modern fleet of 143 aircraft significantly contributes to its on-time performance achievement. The airline plans to add 131 new aircraft in the coming years, which will further enhance operational efficiency and service capabilities.
Middle East and Africa airlines witness improvements
Despite the rise of geopolitical tensions and conflicts in certain parts of the Middle East, it experienced a 38 percent decline in the number of canceled flights in May with 2,272 compared to 3,675 in April. Globally, airlines in the Middle East and Africa region saw the greatest improvement in performance in May.
Notable mentions include South Africa’s Safair, the region’s leader, with an impressive OTP of 96.81 percent, a 5-point improvement from last month’s OTP of 91.82 percent. Oman Air closely followed Safair in second place with an OTP of 94.35 percent. This was a more than five-point increase over April’s OTP of 88.72 percent.
Airlink, also from South Africa, ranked third with an outstanding OTP of 92.90 percent, while Royal Jordanian ranked fourth with an OTP of 90.82 percent, an almost four-point increase compared to April’s OTP of 87.16 percent.
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