Aeromexico’s Unprecedented Achievement
Aeromexico emerged as the most punctual global airline in 2024, with 86.7% of its flights arriving on time, as defined by arrivals within 15 minutes of the scheduled time. This milestone, highlighted in aviation analytics company Cirium’s annual report, marks a significant leap for the airline, which was previously ranked outside the top 10. Cirium’s CEO, Jeremy Bowen, described the achievement as “absolutely a surprise” during an interview, attributing it to Aeromexico’s robust company culture, investment in modern equipment, and strong collaboration with its hub, Mexico City International Airport. Notably, the airport also ranked fourth globally for on-time flights.
Other airlines in the top five included Saudia (86.35%), Delta Air Lines (83.46%), Latam Airlines (82.89%), and Qatar Airways (82.83%). Delta, in particular, was recognized as the “best global airline for operational excellence” for the fourth consecutive year, reflecting its balance of punctuality and scale as one of the largest airlines worldwide.
Global and Regional Insights
Globally, the on-time performance rate declined slightly by 0.5% in 2024. This dip was partly attributed to a Crowd Strike software update that grounded thousands of flights, as well as abnormal weather conditions. Despite these challenges, several regional airlines outperformed their global counterparts. South Africa’s Safair led the regional rankings with an impressive 93.82% of flights arriving on time. Oman Air and Copa Airlines followed, with on-time rates of 90.27% and 88.22%, respectively.
In the Asia-Pacific region, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways continued to dominate, although their on-time percentages slightly dropped compared to 2023. Meanwhile, Europe saw Spain’s Iberia Express and Iberia secure the top two spots, reflecting consistent performance from previous years.
Top Airports for On-Time Performance
Airports also played a pivotal role in ensuring punctuality. Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport topped the global rankings, with over 86% of flights departing on time. In the medium-sized category, Panama’s Tocumen International Airport led with 90.34% on-time departures, while Ecuador’s Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport was named the most punctual small airport globally, with 91.38% on-time departures.
The report underscores the significance of punctuality in enhancing passenger satisfaction and operational efficiency for Aeromexico.It also highlights the importance of synchronized efforts between airlines and their hubs in achieving industry excellence.
