RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's national carrier topped the list of global airlines as it achieved an on-time arrival rate of 88.22 percent in June, according to new data from independent aviation tracking site Cirium.
Saudi Arabia also recorded an on-time departure rate of 88.73 percent, while operating 16,133 flights across its network of more than 100 destinations across four continents.
Considering that June is a peak travel month due to the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage and the summer travel season, this achievement is remarkable. This country had about 2 million visitors during the Hajj season this year.
According to the same report, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh also took first place for the second month in a row for the most on-time performance worldwide in June.
This comes amid continued growth in Saudi Arabia's aviation sector, which will contribute $21 billion to the kingdom's GDP by 2023 and boost its position as a global tourism hub.
The goal of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy is to increase the share of the aviation industry's GDP from the current 6% to 10% by 2030.
Ebrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudi Group, said: This achievement is the realization of our strategic goals to improve operational efficiency and quality through continuous improvement in flight planning and implementation of the best digital solutions and systems for operations management.
He added: “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.”
According to the company, Saudi Arabia has been consistently ranked among the top 10 airlines in the world for on-time performance since last year, reflecting its commitment to high quality standards and aviation safety.
Its operations are coordinated through one of the largest integrated operations control centers in the Middle East, which utilizes the latest aircraft communication technologies to ensure smooth operations by monitoring all aircraft takeoff and landing procedures in real time at all domestic and international airports. International uses.
Ayman Abuba, CEO of Riyadh Airports Company, said that Sirium's top ranking of King Khalid International Airport reflects its commitment to operational excellence and serves as a catalyst for continuous improvements, according to the Saudi Arabian News Agency.
“This excellence demonstrates our commitment to quality and operational efficiency. It motivates us to continue working with various partners at King Khalid International Airport to provide the best travel experience and the highest level of service to our passengers.”
Abubaeh also said: “King Khalid International Airport is a national landmark and shows the future position and aspirations of the Kingdom in line with the goals of Vision 2030.
He emphasized the importance of his employees' commitment to the highest operational standards, which he said is one of the defining characteristics of the airport's workforce, and their continuous efforts to improve passenger experiences.
King Khalid International Airport's recognition as the world's most on-time airport follows Cirium's third-place finish in January. The airport reached the top spot in May and retained this position in June, indicating its rapid and significant recent progress.
