Global Airline On-Time Performance Rankings: These 2 Asian Carriers Top the List

Flight delays can lead to numerous issues when traveling abroad. The UK aviation research organization OAG recently released the 2017 Global Airline On-Time Performance Rankings, evaluating 103 airlines worldwide on a star-based system. The top 10 rankings were evenly split between traditional and low-cost carriers, with only three airlines awarded 5-star status: South African low-cost carrier Safair, Qatar’s Peninsula Airways, and Latvia’s Air Baltic, all achieving over 90% on-time performance. Additionally, AirAsia and Jetstar from Asia, as well as Japan Airlines, performed the best among others, with on-time rates of around 80%.

As global air traffic routes expand, on-time performance has become a key performance indicator. Based on an analysis of over 600 flights per month across more than 900 airlines globally over the past 12 months, OAG ranked Safair, the South African low-cost carrier, as the world’s most punctual airline. Alongside Peninsula Airways and Air Baltic, it received 5-star status, with on-time rates exceeding 90%.

The ranking evaluated 103 airlines worldwide, with AirAsia Jetstar and Japan Airlines both receiving 4-star ratings and achieving approximately 80% on-time performance. Over 30% of the airlines were rated just 1 star, with on-time rates of around 70%. Among them were several Asian carriers including Thai AirAsia, Hong Kong Airlines, China’s Spring Airlines, and Cathay Pacific, while Middle Eastern airlines Turkish Airlines and Emirates also received 1-star ratings.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, China’s most delayed airlines are Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, with nearly 30% of their flights experiencing delays. These airlines rank near the bottom globally. In addition to common causes like severe weather, major contributors to delays include smog pollution, runway maintenance, and military exercises.