Saudia ranks first worldwide in on-time departure

With an 88.22 percent on-time arrival rate in June, Saudi Arabia’s national airline topped the list of all airlines worldwide, according to latest data from the independent aviation tracking website Cirium.

In addition, Saudia operated 16,133 flights to over 100 destinations on four continents, with an on-time departure percentage of 88.73 percent.

The achievement is noteworthy as June is a popular month for travel because of the summer travel season and the yearly Hajj pilgrimage by Muslims. This year’s Hajj season brought almost two million tourists to the Kingdom.

According to the report, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh also took the top spot for the world’s most on-time performance in June for the second consecutive month.

His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, highlighted, “This accomplishment is a realization of our strategic goals to enhance operational efficiency and quality through continuous improvements in flight scheduling and the implementation of the best digital solutions and systems for operations management.

“Maintaining a high level of on-time performance requires significant effort, as it involves overcoming numerous operational challenges in the aviation industry, such as weather conditions, high temperatures, technical issues, and other airport-related factors. I express my gratitude to all Saudia employees for their diligent work in maintaining the national flag carrier’s operational excellence.”

Saudia has consistently been among the top ten global airlines for on-time performance since last year, demonstrating its commitment to providing the highest standards of quality and air safety.

Its operations are managed through the largest Integrated Operation Control Center (IOCC) of its kind in the Middle East, which operates within a comprehensive system involving all sectors and group companies.

Additionally, the center utilizes the latest technologies for aircraft communications, ensuring smooth operations by monitoring all procedures related to aircraft takeoff and landing in real time at all domestic and international stations.