Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Saudia, ranked first globally for both departure and arrival punctuality in May, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The achievement marks the airline’s second major operational accolade this year and reinforces its position among the industry’s leading performers.
The latest recognition follows Cirium’s January assessment, which ranked Saudia as the world’s second-most punctual airline for arrivals in 2025, extending the carrier’s strong record for operational reliability.
Established in 1945, Saudia is the Kingdom’s oldest airline and a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector. The carrier plays a key role in advancing the country’s tourism growth and economic diversification objectives under Vision 2030.
Saudia
According to Cirium’s latest report, Saudia achieved an on-time departure rate of 92.30 percent and an on-time arrival rate of 90.12 percent in May. The results were based on more than 13,600 flights operated across a network of over 100 destinations spanning four continents.
The performance was recorded during one of the busiest periods of the year, coinciding with the arrival phase of the 1447 AH Hajj season, the influx of pilgrims from around the world, and the Eid Al-Adha holiday.
Despite heightened travel demand, the airline maintained scheduled operations while meeting high standards of operational efficiency, SPA reported.
The ranking builds on a strong performance in 2025, when Saudia posted an on-time arrival rate of 86.53 percent across more than 202,800 flights. The result secured the carrier second place globally in Cirium’s annual review for the second consecutive year.
Saudia attributed its operational success to close coordination across the Saudia Group, advanced flight management systems, and continued investment in planning and operational efficiency.
The airline is also preparing for a major expansion. A total of 116 aircraft are scheduled to join its fleet in the coming years, adding to its current fleet of 149 aircraft. The expansion is expected to support increased flight frequencies, greater passenger capacity, and the launch of new international routes.
Beyond aviation, Saudia has played an increasingly prominent role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s tourism ambitions. In partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority, the airline helped facilitate the arrival of approximately 27 million tourists and visitors from 24 countries in 2025, while promoting the Kingdom through its international network.
Saudia has identified punctuality as a central pillar of the passenger experience as it continues to expand its global presence and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s goal of attracting 150 million visitors annually by 2030.
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