RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's national carrier topped the list of global airlines as it achieved an 88.22 percent on-time arrival rate in June, according to new data from independent aviation tracking site Sirium.
Saudi also recorded an on-time departure rate of 88.73 percent while operating 16,133 flights to a network of more than 100 destinations across four continents.
The achievement is significant as June is a peak travel month due to the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage and summer travel season. The state saw around two million tourists during this year's Hajj season.
Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport also took the top spot for most on-time performance globally in June for the second month in a row, according to the same report.
This comes amid steady growth in Saudi Arabia's aviation sector, which contributed $21 billion to the kingdom's gross domestic product in 2023, boosting its status as a global tourism hub.
The National Transport and Logistics Strategy aims to increase the aviation industry's GDP contribution from the current 6 percent to 10 percent by 2030.
Ibrahim Al-Omar, Saudi Group Director General, said: “This achievement is the achievement of our strategic goals of increasing operational efficiency and quality through continuous improvement in flight schedules and the implementation of the best digital solutions and systems for operations management.”
He added: “Maintaining a high level of performance over time requires significant effort, as it involves overcoming many operational challenges in the aviation industry such as weather conditions, high temperatures, technical issues, and other airport-related factors.”
Saudi has consistently been among the top 10 global airlines since last year, reflecting its commitment to high quality standards and air safety, the company said.
Its operations are coordinated through one of the largest integrated operations control centers in the Middle East, which uses the latest technologies for aircraft communications to ensure smooth operations by monitoring all procedures related to aircraft takeoff and landing in real time at all domestic and international airports.
Ayman Abobah, CEO of Riyadh Airports Company, said King Khalid International Airport's top ranking by Sirius underscores its dedication to operational excellence and serves as a catalyst for continuous improvements, Saudi Press Agency reported.
“This excellence reflects our commitment to quality and operational efficiency. It motivates us to continue collaborating with various partners at King Khalid International Airport to provide our passengers with the best travel experience and the highest level of services,” he added.
“King Khalid International Airport stands as a national landmark, which shows the state's position and future aspirations in line with the objectives of Vision 2030,” Aboba also said.
He highlighted the importance of his staff's commitment to high operational standards, which he said is a defining characteristic of the airport's workforce and their constant efforts to enhance the passenger experience.
King Khalid International Airport's recognition as the world's most punctual airport follows its third-place ranking by Sirius in January. The airport advanced to first place in May and retained this position in June, reflecting its recent rapid and significant progress.
