Saudia ranks first globally for on-time performance in May 2026 | News
Saudia, the national airline of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has achieved another global milestone in operational excellence. The airline ranked first among airlines worldwide in on-time performance in both departure and arrival rates as of May 2026, according to the latest report from Cirium, the leading global aviation analytics provider.
The airline recorded an on-time departure rate of 92.30% and an on-time arrival rate of 90.12%, operating 13,669 flights across its network of more than 100 destinations across four continents.
This achievement comes during one of Saudia’s most demanding operational periods, as the airline continued to manage its scheduled flights in addition to the arrival phase of the 2026 Hajj season, the transport of pilgrims from around the world and the Eid Al-Adha holiday period.
These achievements were driven by integrated planning and execution across Saudia’s operational teams, supported by advanced digital systems and AI-based solutions that improve operational efficiency, enhance readiness and support proactive decision-making.
This achievement was also supported by strong coordination across Saudia’s business units, as well as effective collaboration with partners across the aviation ecosystem. It also contributes to the objectives of the Saudi Aviation Strategy, which aims to strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a leading global aviation hub and international connector.
On-time performance remains one of the most important indicators of service quality and guest experience, given its direct link to the value of guests’ time. Saudia has embedded punctuality as a core institutional culture across its operations, supporting sustainable performance and enabling the airline to achieve leading regional and global rankings in recent years.
