Saudia Airlines, the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has retained its top spot in the ranking of global airlines for their On-Time Performance (OTP), says a report by Cirium, an aviation tracking site.

In a press statement, Saudia says that while it topped the ranking for November 2024, flyadeal, a low-cost carrier that is part of the Saudia Group, was second in the global list of global low-cost carrier category, reflecting the group’s commitment to operational excellence and growth.

Saudia says it ranked first in On-Time Performance with an on-time arrival rate of 89.85 pc after operating over 16,300 flights, marking the third consecutive top ranking.

It adds that flyadeal also achieved an on-time performance OTP of 90.48 pc, securing second place in the global low-cost airline category for the second month in a row, following its first-place ranking in September 2024.

Ibrahim Al-Omar

The statement adds that Saudia will receive 130 new aircraft in the coming years, aiming to double its seating capacity and expand to new global destinations in line with Vision 2030. With a current fleet of 144 aircraft connecting the Kingdom to over 100 destinations, Saudia offers exceptional services, blending Saudi hospitality with diverse, multilingual in-flight entertainment.

It adds that flyadeal operates a fleet of 36 Airbus A320 aircraft from three main bases in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, serving nearly 30 destinations across the Kingdom and selected cities in the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa. Starting in early 2025, the airline will significantly expand its international routes.

“These outstanding results underscore the strategic importance of safe and timely operations, which significantly enhance customer confidence across our entire group. Saudia and flyadeal’s commitment to operational excellence is a testament to the collective efforts of our dedicated front-line staff and the invaluable support from all Saudia Group business units,” says Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General, Saudia Group.

Jeremy Bowen

“Saudia’s comprehensive transformation programme, Shine has been instrumental in achieving this accomplishment. Through the programme, we launch initiatives aimed at enhancing guest experience and operational efficiency, as well as improving various services and products,” he added.

“It is fantastic to see Saudia take the top spot as the most on-time global airline in November, paired with sister carrier flyadeal which secured an impressive second place in the LCC category. These achievements really demonstrate the exceptional operational success of the Saudia Group. Their ongoing dedication to excellence and ability to deliver outstanding results month after month is truly commendable. They continue to set high standards and reinforce their significant impact on the airline industry,” says Jeremy Bowen, Chief Executive Officer, Cirium.