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Frequently Asked Questions About Cirium

General Information

What is Cirium? 

Cirium is the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics, providing powerful data and cutting-edge analytics to empower airlines, airports, travel enterprises, aircraft manufacturers, and financial entities. It is part of LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, a RELX business. 

What industries does Cirium serve? 

Cirium serves a wide range of industries, including: 

  • Airlines and airports 
  • Aerospace and aircraft manufacturing 
  • Travel and tourism 
  • Aviation finance and insurance 
  • Government and public agencies 
  • Air cargo and logistics 

What is Cirium’s history? 

Cirium’s story began in 1909 with Flight Magazine. Over 115 years, it has grown by integrating brands like FlightStats, Diio, Innovata, and Ascend, becoming a global leader in aviation data and analytics. 

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Data and Analytics 

What types of aviation data does Cirium provide? 

Cirium offers comprehensive aviation data, including: 

  • Flight status and tracking 
  • Aircraft fleet and values 
  • Passenger traffic and fares 
  • Schedules, routes, and connections 
  • Aircraft and flight emissions 
  • Aeronautical and traffic flow data 

How does Cirium ensure data quality? 

Cirium consumes and normalizes data from over 2,000 curated sources, making 1.7 million updates daily to ensure accuracy and reliability. 

What is the Cirium Core platform? 

The Cirium Core platform integrates data from multiple sources to assist with planning, decision-making, revenue analysis, and operational efficiency in the aviation industry. 

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Solutions and Services 

What solutions does Cirium offer for airlines and airports? 

Cirium provides solutions for: 

  • Airline planning and operations 
  • Airport planning and operations 
  • On-time performance tracking 
  • Passenger experience optimization 

How does Cirium support sustainable aviation? 

Cirium offers tools like EmeraldSky to monitor and benchmark flight emissions, helping airlines and governments meet environmental goals. 

Learn more about Cirium Emerald Sky

Does Cirium offer custom data services? 

Yes, Cirium provides bespoke aviation data and analytics through its consultancy and advisory services. 

What financial services and consulting does Cirium offer? 

Cirium offers financial data and insights, including aircraft valuations, lease rate trends, and market analysis to support investment decisions, asset management, and risk assessment for financial institutions and lessors. 

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Corporate Information 

Who owns Cirium? 

Cirium is part of LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, a RELX business, which is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools. 

Where is Cirium located? 

Cirium operates globally, with approximately 10,000 employees serving customers in over 190 countries. 

How can I contact Cirium? 

You can reach Cirium through the Contact Us page.

Additional Resources 

How can I stay updated with Cirium’s insights? 

You can sign up for webinars, reports, and updates on Cirium’s Insights page. 

Does Cirium offer career opportunities? 

Yes, Cirium is always looking for talent. Explore opportunities on their Careers page. 

Where can I find Cirium’s latest news? 

Cirium’s blog, Thought Cloud, has commentary, opinions, and insights from Cirium experts about the aviation industry. Visit the News and Media Hub for the latest updates for the media.

Defining On-Time Performance (OTP)

What is On-Time Performance (OTP)?

On-Time Performance (OTP) is the industry benchmark for measuring the punctuality of airlines and airports. A flight is considered “on time” if it arrives at or departs from the gate within 15 minutes of its scheduled time. 

How is OTP officially defined? 

Cirium defines on-time performance with precision: 

  • On-Time Arrival: A passenger flight arrives at the gate within 15 minutes of its scheduled arrival time. This metric is used to rank airlines. 
  • On-Time Departure: A passenger flight departs from the gate within 15 minutes of its scheduled departure time. This metric is used to rank airports. 

How is On-Time Performance measured? 

OTP is measured by tracking flights from their departure gate to their arrival gate. Cirium collects and curates data from over 600 real-time flight information sources to ensure comprehensive and accurate measurement. For an airline to be included in our analysis, we must have data for at least 80% of its flights. 

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The Importance of OTP 

Why is On-Time Performance important for airlines? 

OTP is a critical performance indicator for airlines. Consistently high on-time performance leads to: 

  • Improved Passenger Satisfaction: Punctuality is a key driver of a positive travel experience and builds brand loyalty. 
  • Operational Efficiency: Good OTP is essential for maintaining schedules, maximizing aircraft utilization, and managing crew resources effectively. 
  • Cost Management: Delays can lead to significant costs, including crew overtime, passenger compensation, and reputational damage. A consistently high OTP helps minimize these expenses. 

How does On-Time Performance benefit passengers? 

For passengers, reliable on-time performance means a more predictable and less stressful travel experience. It minimizes the chances of missed connections, reduces waiting times at airports, and provides confidence in the airline’s service. 

What factors influence an airline’s On-Time Performance? 

Several factors can impact OTP, including air traffic congestion, weather conditions, technical issues, and airport operational efficiency. Airlines with strategic fleet management, advanced technology, and a dedicated focus on operational excellence are often better equipped to manage these variables and maintain high OTP rates. 

What affects an airport’s On-Time Performance? 

An airport’s On-Time Performance is influenced by several factors, including weather conditions, air traffic volume, runway availability, staffing levels, and the efficiency of ground operations. Delays can also result from airlines’ scheduling practices, maintenance issues, or unexpected events like security concerns. 

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Cirium’s Role in OTP Measurement 

How does Cirium measure and rank On-Time Performance? 

Cirium analyzes flight data from over 600 global sources to track more than 35 million flights annually. Our methodology uses this extensive dataset to calculate the on-time arrival and departure percentages for airlines and airports worldwide. These calculations form the basis for our monthly reports and the prestigious annual On-Time Performance Awards. 

What makes Cirium the industry standard for OTP data? 

Cirium’s position as the industry standard is built on a foundation of trust and accuracy. Our analyses adhere to strictly defined metrics and are based on the widest and deepest pool of flight data available. The Cirium On-Time Performance Advisory Board, composed of external industry experts, ensures the integrity and impartiality of our program.

How can my airline or airport be included in the Cirium On-Time Performance analysis? 

Cirium’s data is the most comprehensive in the industry, sourced from over 600 global sources. To ensure your data is accurately represented, we encourage airlines and airports to collaborate with us directly. By providing your flight status data, you help enhance the accuracy of our analysis for your own benefit and that of the wider industry. To begin sharing your data, please contact our team. 

How long has Cirium been producing the OTP report?  

We have reported on On-Time Performance for airlines and airports since 2008. The report ranks airlines and airports according to their on-time performance. It reveals and rewards those airlines and airports which have achieved the most consistent on-time performance, as well as providing meaningful insights to improve the traveler experience. 

On-Time Performance Awards 

What are the Cirium On-Time Performance Awards? 

The Cirium OTP Awards are the global benchmark for recognizing excellence in airline and airport operational performance. The annual awards, including the coveted Platinum Award, honor the airlines and airports that have demonstrated outstanding commitment and success in achieving superior on-time performance. 

Do airlines and airports pay to participate in the Cirium On-Time Performance Awards? 

No, the Cirium On-Time Performance program is entirely complimentary for all airlines and airports. Winners are determined solely based on our independent analysis of flight performance data, ensuring an unbiased and credible assessment. There are no fees associated with participation or winning an award. 

What is the Platinum Award?  

The Platinum Award is presented to the world’s top airline and airport that demonstrated exceptional operational performance for the year.  

  • Airline Qualifications: To qualify, the airline must qualify in the Global Airline category for on-time performance. We have developed a proprietary algorithm that considers an array of parameters, which provides an output that compares airlines on a one-to-one basis as far as possible to ensure fairness, accuracy, and integrity in the selection process. We consider the complexity of the carrier’s network, volume of flights, and the ability to limit the impact of flight disruptions on passengers over the entire year.  
  • Airport Qualifications: To qualify, the airport must first qualify in the Global Airport category for on-time performance. The proprietary algorithm considers a broader range of factors including the impact of delays on passengers, the duration of disruptions, operational complexity, and the airport’s appeal, with a particular focus on growth. This holistic approach highlights excellence across multiple dimensions, setting a new benchmark in airport performance evaluation. 

With its comprehensive methodology and emphasis on multiple performance metrics, the On-Time Performance (OTP) rankings provide an essential tool for industry professionals, travelers, and stakeholders to assess and celebrate operational excellence in aviation. These insights contribute to fostering improved reliability and efficiency within the industry. For further details and to explore the full rankings, visit the OTP homepage.