It’s not easy operating an airline in Canada — a large country with three major hub airports in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, and a variety of weather challenges no matter the time of year. Nevertheless, the Canadian carriers demonstrated solid on-time performance in spring 2024, which bodes well for summer travel. Indeed, among North American airlines, WestJet was third, and Air Canada sixth, for on-time performance in May 2024.
In June 2024 (at the time of writing), the major Canadian carriers had comparatively high completion rates. Completion factor measures the number of flights flown compared to those scheduled. At the time of writing, Porter Airlines had a 99.52% completion factor, Flair Airlines at 99.27%, WestJet at 98.58%, and Air Canada posted 97% — with the latter on a significantly higher number of flights than its Canadian brethren.
Toronto-Pearson Airport: Marked Improvement
Toronto-Pearson Airport has faced challenges related to on-time performance in recovery from the pandemic. However, the airport has demonstrated consistent and improved departure performance in 2024 to date — even in the winter months of 2024. Toronto-Pearson’s D14% — the percentage of flights scheduled that departed within 14:59 of the scheduled departure time — consistently averaged around 70% in the first half of 2024 and into late June 2024. (Last June, Pearson’s D14% was around 59%). In May 2024, Toronto-Pearson had 70.96% of its flights depart on time, on around 14,500 flights. By way of comparison, the best performing U.S. airport in May 2024 was Salt Lake City, with 82.69% of flights departing on-time on around 10,000 flights. The best performing Canadian airport, Calgary International Airport, had a D14% of 77.07% on around 6,000 flights.
The Canadian Domestic Market: Seats Flown Up 6% in 2024
The Canadian airline industry has witnessed many changes in 2024 to date. Indeed, ultra-low cost carrier Lynx departed the market in bankruptcy, and long-time premium carrier Porter Airlines has taken delivery of Embraer E2-195 jets. At the time of writing, Porter has 33 jets in service, and is primed to increase its Canadian domestic flying by 63% (measured on seats flown) this July compared to last. WestJet will increase their July seats flown by 8% compared to last July. In contrast, ultra-low cost carrier Flair will fly 7.5% fewer seats this July 2024, compared to last July.
Transatlantic Flying from Canada to Europe: Up Almost 7% in 2024
Air Canada, Transat, and WestJet are the perennial airlines flying Canadian customers to European destinations, and vice-versa. Air Canada will fly twice as many seats as Air Transat, increasing its seat count by 3.3% this July compared to last. (These carriers will benefit from the general transatlantic demand, and phenomena such as North American customers seeking to enjoy Taylor Swift concerts or the Paris Olympics). Transat is up 6.2% on seats in July 2024 compared to July 2023, with WestJet increasing its seats flown by almost 20,000 seats in the month of July 2024 alone compared to July 2023.
The most accurate way to capture data for aircraft carbon emissions and fuel burn globally
This data enables seat-by-seat emissions to be precisely tracked by management companies, corporate travel departments, aircraft finance firmsand airlines
London, 29 May 2024:Cirium, the leader in aviation analytics, has introduced the industry’s most precise independent standard for measuring aircraft emissions and fuel burn.
This groundbreaking and revolutionary methodology analyses each flight’s specific aircraft type and design specifications, combined with real-time operational data and flight conditions, ensuring unparalleled accuracy and reliability in emission tracking.
Cirium’s EmeraldSky seamlessly integrates Cirium’s comprehensive data, advanced analytics, and innovative techniques to achieve unmatched precision in measuring both current and forecasted CO2 flight emissions.
Unlike traditional carbon calculators that depend on broad estimates and loose assumptions – such as using pre-planned routes instead of actual flown paths, and ignoring variables like wind speed and direction – EmeraldSky provides emissions results based on the seat in a specific class of service and sets a new standard in aircraft emissions measurement.
Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium, said: “Cirium’s mission is to establish the industry standard for accurate fuel burn and carbon emissions data to empower the aviation sector to deliver on its sustainability targets. Cirium’s world-beating methodology even considers each aircraft’s typical operating weight, passengers and baggage, cargo payload, and degradation in engine efficiency over time to provide the most accurate data available to help achieve aviation’s ambitious sustainability goals.”
Endorsed by airlines and industry stakeholders, EmeraldSky offers users access to both historical data for up to five years and predictive carbon footprint for the upcoming 12 months.
This robust data enables precise, independent assessment of each aircraft’s emissions, supporting more informed decision-making across the aviation sector. This ensures more precise flight emission reporting, which is critically important in meeting current and future climate regulations.
With superior data, EmeraldSky enables users to:
Undertake a thorough assessment of sustainable aircraft and fleet options
Identify opportunities for aircraft upgrades
Promote eco-friendly travel by providing sustainable flight options
Comply with emissions regulations and ESG reporting requirements
Evaluate investments in aviation carbon offset and elimination programs
Forecast the demand for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF)
Identify opportunities for aircraft upgrades.
In a world with an immense focus on the environmental impact of aviation, EmeraldSky’s rigorous approach is essential for accurate reporting and responsible aviation practices.
EmeraldSky supports Cirium’s ongoing mission to make a meaningful positive impact on the future of aviation and the environment, alongside the industry’s Net Zero targets.
About Cirium Cirium® is the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics. The company delivers powerful data and cutting-edge analytics to empower a wide spectrum of industry players. It equips airlines, airports, travel enterprises, aircraft manufacturers, and financial entities with the clarity and intelligence they need to optimize their operations, make informed decisions, and accelerate revenue growth.
Cirium® is part of LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, a RELX business, which provides information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.
London, UK – 22 April 2024 – Cirium, the global leader in aviation data analytics, has formed a strategic partnership with Trees4Travel, a pioneer in merging technology with business objectives to further environmental sustainability. This collaboration boosts the travel industry’s ability to make environmentally friendly decisions by offering accurate insights into air travel emissions, both during the booking process and for ESG reporting.
The partnership is centered around the introduction of Cirium’s Emerald Sky, a groundbreaking and fully auditable aircraft emissions platform.
Unlike traditional carbon calculators relying on assumptions and estimates, Emerald Sky utilizes cutting-edge techniques and Cirium’s access to exclusive data to precisely calculate the fuel consumption and CO2 output of aircraft. It meticulously considers crucial factors including specific aircraft and engine configuration, age, flight duration (both physical taxi and airtime), and passenger and cargo load, providing a comprehensive calculation based on fuel burn as opposed to distance estimates. This precision in measuring aircraft CO2 emissions offers stakeholders valuable insights for developing far more effective CO2 reduction strategies.
Through this partnership, corporations will have the ability to modify travel practices by choosing flights with lower carbon emissions, which in turn helps reduce the environmental impact of business travel. It supports streamlined reporting on environmental efforts and accurately tracks progress towards achieving significant carbon reductions . As a result, Trees4Travel corporate customers can make smarter travel decisions, enhance their environmental disclosures and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, and effectively benchmark their progress.
Trees4Travel is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices within the travel and events industries, encouraging a shift towards more regenerative operations. Cirium is committed to leading the aviation industry towards a net-zero emissions future by 2050 through dependable, independent emissions analysis
“This partnership is a critical milestone in Cirium’s mission to provide the most comprehensive and accurate flight emissions tracking in the industry.”
Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium
“Cirium has significantly invested in the development of Emerald Sky, an advanced platform that leverages schedule information from over 900 airlines, updated 280,000 times daily, and fully auditable.”
“You cannot reduce what you do not measure – this collaboration takes carbon management to another level.”
Nico Nicholas, CEO of Trees4Travel
“We are absolutely delighted to offer Cirium’s leading technology – with the number of global air passengers expected to increase significantly over the next 30 years, together with corporate sustainability reporting regulations coming in thick and fast, Cirium’s scrupulous flight analytics being offered within our existing carbon calculators allows us to offer a whole suite of ultra sophisticated tools to measure emissions, from scope 1 to scope 4 (soon!). An important ‘string to our bow’ for both us and our TMC partners, backing that up with our nature and tech hybrid decarbonization programs means we have a world changing environmental offer,” says CEO Nico Nicholas of Trees4Travel.
About Trees4Travel Trees4Travel is an environmental ‘tech and business for good’ company, enabling the travel and events industries to transform and cultivate a regenerative approach to their activities by measuring, managing, and mitigating emissions, through simple, affordable, impactful climate contributions. A hybrid process of restoring forests, biodiversity, supporting communities, whilst simultaneously investing into clean energy projects and innovations, focusing on 15 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Trees4Travel creates global partnerships to harmonise travel and events with the environment, to educate and build a more ethical, sustainable world for now and future generations to come. www.trees4travel.com
About Cirium Cirium® is the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics. The company delivers powerful data and cutting-edge analytics to empower a wide spectrum of industry players. It equips airlines, airports, travel enterprises, aircraft manufacturers, and financial entities with the clarity and intelligence they need to optimize their operations, make informed decisions, and accelerate revenue growth.
Cirium® is part of LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, a RELX business, which provides information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.
Cirium, the most trusted source of aviation analytics, is proud to be named a qualified data provider by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) with the release of the Pegasus Guidelines. This significant milestone underscores Cirium’s commitment to the reduction of aviation flight emissions and its pivotal role in fostering a greener future for commercial aviation.
The Pegasus Guidelines mark a pioneering step as the first climate-aligned finance framework tailored for the aviation industry.
Crafted to guide banks and financial institutions, these guidelines aim to harmonize investment choices with decarbonization goals. They equip financiers with the tools to independently assess and report the emission intensity and climate conformity of their aviation finance portfolios, benchmarking against a 1.5°C scenario to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050.
Emerald Sky utilizes cutting-edge fuel burn methodology and exclusive data to precisely calculate the fuel consumption and CO2 output of aircraft.
At the heart of Cirium’s achievement is Emerald Sky which revolutionizes independent aircraft emission measurement by combining data, analytics, and innovative methods to ensure unparalleled precision. Unlike traditional carbon solutions relying on great circle flight distance and generalized aircraft assumptions, Emerald Sky utilizes cutting-edge fuel burn methodology and exclusive data to precisely calculate the fuel consumption and CO2 output of aircraft. It meticulously considers crucial factors including aircraft model, aircraft attributes (i.e., winglets), engine types, age, flight duration (both physical taxi and airtime), and passenger and cargo load, providing a comprehensive assessment based on fuel burn versus less accurate distance estimates. This precision in measuring aircraft CO2 emissions offers stakeholders valuable insights for developing more effective CO2 flight emission reporting by aircraft, portfolio, operator and enables carbon reduction strategies and incentives.
Cirium’s innovation simplifies tracking flight emissions for banks, financiers, and other stakeholders, aiding in accurate emission assessment and reduction in line with the Pegasus Guidelines and global environmental goals.
Key Highlights
Accreditation by RMI: Cirium’s recognition as a Qualified Data Provider reflects its adherence to the highest standards of data accuracy and reliability in emissions tracking.
Emerald Sky: This cutting-edge tool provides comprehensive insights into aviation emissions, enabling effective reporting and implementation of carbon reduction strategies with trusted and validated data analytics.
Commitment to Sustainability: By utilizing Cirium’s EmeraldSky, banks, financiers, and Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFI) can significantly advance their commitment to the Pegasus Guidelines and make tangible progress towards achieving net-zero emissions.
Jeremy Bowen, Cirium CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the accreditation, stating, “This acknowledgment from RMI not only validates our efforts but also strengthens our resolve to drive the aviation industry towards a sustainable future. With Emerald Sky, we’re equipping our customers with the data and analytics they need to make informed decisions about their environmental impact.”
Cirium’s accreditation by RMI as a Qualified Data Provider under the Pegasus Guidelines is more than an achievement; it underscores the need for all aviation stakeholders to prioritize sustainability. Through the use of Emerald Sky, stakeholders have a the most accurate and precise data analytics at their disposal to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a healthier planet.
March 21, 2024, Bogota, Colombia – Cirium, the global leader in aviation analytics, presented the 2023 On-Time Performance (OTP) Award for global airlines to Avianca. The ceremony celebrated and recognized the unwavering dedication by Avianca to on-time performance in 2023. This is the first on-time global award for the airline in its 104 year history.
Jeremy Bowen, Chief Executive Officer for Cirium presented the award to crew members and other leaders in the organization representing all who make on-time happen for Avianca and its customers. The ceremony was attended by Adrian Neuhauser, Executive Vice Chairman, Grupo Abra Group, Frederico “Fred” Pedreira, Chief Executive Officer, Avianca, representatives from Quito airport, ministry of tourism, Colombia immigration services, the Avianca executive team, members of the media, and over 200 Avianca team members.
As a trusted source of aviation industry data and analytics, Cirium is proud to present this award honoring the achievements of Avianca while underscoring the critical importance of on-time performance in enhancing passenger satisfaction, operational efficiency, and the overall success of the airline industry.
“Behind this achievement is the commitment of more than 14,000 people from the Avianca team who, in coordination with authorities and allies, work to ensure that our customers reach their destinations safely, on time and with their suitcases. And of course, we thank the more than 32 million passengers who trusted us to fly during 2023. We are proud of this recognition that puts us on a par with world-class airlines and Colombia as an international benchmark in the airline sector.” Frederico Pedreira, CEO, avianca.
“It takes an incredible amount of hard work and teamwork to run an on-time airline operations when also taking into account all the external factors; weather, staff shortage s, mechanical issues, etc. and especially in 2023 when demand surged. The positions at the top of the performance table are often only separated by fractions of a percentage. Avianca won the Global Category with an OTP of 85.73%…just 0.2% higher than the second-place airline. But it’s turnaround in performance of how Avianca used to perform before the pandemic, to how they’re performing now is what they should be most proud of. The 2023 OTP figure is over 10% higher than it was in 2019 and 2% higher than 2022. The turnaround figures are truly remarkable!” – Jeremy Bowen, CEO, Cirium.
In Cirium’s award analysis, an on-time flight is defined as a flight that arrives within 15 minutes of the scheduled gate arrival. For an airport, it is defined as departing within 15 minutes of its scheduled departure.
About Avianca:
Avianca is a company that comprises Avianca- a Star Alliance member- LifeMiles, and Avianca Cargo. In passenger transportation, Avianca is the leading airline in Colombia, Ecuador, and Central America, with over 104 years of continuous operation since 1919. It has one of the largest air operations in Latin America with 147 routes, nearly 710 daily flights, and a fleet of 140 Airbus 320 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, connecting over 75 destinations in 25 countries in the Americas and Europe. In 2023, Avianca transported over 32.3 million customers through the operation of more than 213,000 flights. Its loyalty program, LifeMiles, is one of the largest in Latin America with over 12.4 million members and 500 partner brands. In cargo transportation, Avianca Cargo is a regional leader and the main operator in various markets in the Americas. With its affiliate airline, Aerounion, it serves over 50 destinations with a fleet of 9 cargo aircraft, in addition to cargo operations in passenger aircraft bellies. More information can be found at www.avianca.com.
About Cirium Cirium® is the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics. The company delivers powerful data and cutting-edge analytics to empower a wide spectrum of industry players. It equips airlines, airports, travel enterprises, aircraft manufacturers, and financial entities with the clarity and intelligence they need to optimize their operations, make informed decisions, and accelerate revenue growth.
Cirium® is part of LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, a RELX business, which provides information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.
March 12, 2024, Tenerife, Spain – Cirium, the global leader in aviation analytics, is thrilled to present the On-Time Performance (OTP) Award for European airlines to Iberia Express. Taking place on March 12, 2024, this prestigious ceremony recognized the unwavering dedication to on-time performance demonstrated by the entire crew at Iberia Express in 2023.
Mike Malik, Chief Marketing Officer for Cirium presented the award to Carlos Gomez Suárez, Chief Executive Officer, Iberia Express. An award was also presented to Iberia Airlines for their achievement as a second-place winner among European airlines in the 2023 On-Time Performance Review. Gonzalo SalinasPereira, Director for Operations Control Center at Iberia received the award on behalf of the entire staff.
Also in attendance at the Tenerife North Airport were Francisco Javier Osman Rodriguez, Tenerife Airport Director, Miguel Angel Rodriguez, Canary Islands Tourism Representative, and 12 members of the Iberia Express front-line crew.
Mike Malik, CMO, Cirium, presents the award to Carlos Gomez Suarez, CEO of Iberia Express.
As a trusted source of aviation industry information and analytics, Cirium is proud to present this award honoring the achievements of Iberia Express while underscoring the critical importance of on-time performance in enhancing passenger satisfaction, operational efficiency, and the overall success of the airline industry.
“At Iberia Express, we strive to maintain ambitious standards of efficiency and excellence in our operations to provide the best experience to our customers on each flight. This achievement is a source of pride for us because it serves as a testament to the commitment and dedication of the entire Iberia Express team,” said Carlos Gómez Suarez, CEO of Iberia Express, during the event.
“Iberia Express’s performance is notable in 2023 especially when you consider its 10% capacity growth for its 2023/2024 winter schedule, compared to 2022. It’s important to note that Iberia Express has performed well for many years, in fact, it has been a top performer and won an OTP award 9 times in the past. But in 2023, Iberia Express has truly set a high bar, the Most On-Time European airline with an OTP rate of 84.58%. A heartfelt congratulations to everyone at Iberia Express, Mr. Suarez, and the team.” – Mike Malik, CMO, Cirium.
Cirium presented the 2nd Place Award to the Iberia Airlines operations team
In Cirium’s award analysis, an on-time flight is defined as a flight that arrives within 15 minutes of the scheduled gate arrival. For an airport, it is defined as departing within 15 minutes of its scheduled departure.
About Iberia Express
Iberia Express is part of the Iberia Group, the leading low-cost airline at Madrid Airport and on routes to the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. It offers short and medium-haul routes to feed Iberia’s long-haul network and to efficiently compete in the low-cost airline segment. Iberia Express operates a very efficient fleet of 25 aircraft and has developed a hybrid business model that includes connecting flights and Business Class service on all its planes. For five consecutive years (2014-2018), it was the most punctual low-cost airline in the world. In 2022, it was the most punctual low-cost airline in Europe, and in 2023, it was the most punctual airline in Europe and the fifth most punctual low-cost airline in the world, according to Cirium.
About Cirium Cirium® is the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics. The company delivers powerful data and cutting-edge analytics to empower a wide spectrum of industry players. It equips airlines, airports, travel enterprises, aircraft manufacturers, and financial entities with the clarity and intelligence they need to optimize their operations, make informed decisions, and accelerate revenue growth.
Cirium® is part of LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, a RELX business, which provides information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL — Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) wrapped up 2023 with a rare double win in Cirium’s 2023 On-Time Performance Review, garnering the top global airport and large airport awards.
Cirium presented the awards Tuesday to Metropolitan Airports Commission Executive Director/C.E.O., Brian Ryks and Chair Rick King during a ceremony at MSP that included hundreds of airport employees.
“These awards highlight the incredible teams and employees at the MAC who support our airline partners in delivering the best on-time performance rates while minimizing passenger disruptions throughout the year,” Ryks said. “Last winter challenged our region with heavy and frequent snowstorms, yet our teams showed their dedication keeping equipment, facilities and the MSP airfield in prime condition to achieve the best possible operational capabilities that contributed to achieving this rare industry honor.”
Now in its 15th year, the Cirium On-Time Performance program monitors global airline and airport operational performance through extensive and unbiased data, derived from over 600 real-time information sources.
MSP is only the second North American airport to win a Cirium global award following Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in 2011.
MSP’s 2023 global on-time departure rate of 84.44% was calculated across 289,817 flights, ahead of the other top five finishers: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (India), Kempegowda International Airport (India), El Dorado International Airport (Colombia), and Salt Lake City International Airport (U.S.). “On-time performance is a critical way we deliver on MAC’s purpose: providing exceptional airport experiences so Minnesota thrives,” King said.
“These awards affirm the trust and expectations that MSP has earned over many years in helping millions of people travel easily and efficiently across the globe to strengthen regional business connections and support personal and leisure travel.”
Rick King, Chairman at MSP
“Cirium’s Annual On-Time Performance Review brings to light the exceptional strides we’re seeing across the global aviation sector. The 2023 results speak volumes about how our airports are not just meeting but surpassing expectations in efficiency, especially as we witness a resurgence in demand,” said Cirium Chief Marketing Officer Mike Malik.
“The team at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport have really set the bar high, leading the pack in both the global and large airport categories. Cirium extends our deepest congratulations to the team at MSP for their dedication and outstanding commitment to excellence.”
In Cirium’s 2023 airline rankings, MSP’s hub carrier Delta Air Lines was honored with the Platinum Award for the third year running as the top global performer. Delta also topped the rankings for most on-time airline in North America.
In Cirium’s award analysis, an on-time flight is defined as a flight that arrives within 15 minutes of the scheduled gate arrival. For an airport, it is defined as departing within 15 minutes of its scheduled departure.
About The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) owns and operates one of the nation’s largest airport systems, including Minneapolis-St Paul International (MSP) and six general aviation airports. The MAC’s airports connect the region to the world and showcase Minnesota’s extraordinary culture to millions of passengers from around the globe who arrive or depart through MAC airports each year. Though a public corporation of the state of Minnesota, the organization is not funded by income or property taxes. Instead, the MAC’s operations are funded by rents and fees generated by users of its airports. For more information, visit www.metroairports.org.
About Cirium Cirium® is the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics. The company delivers powerful data and cutting-edge analytics to empower a wide spectrum of industry players. It equips airlines, airports, travel enterprises, aircraft manufacturers, and financial entities with the clarity and intelligence they need to optimize their operations, make informed decisions, and accelerate revenue growth.
Cirium® is part of LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, a RELX business, which provides information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.
In the bustling world of aviation, medium-sized airports often find themselves in a unique position – big enough to serve a significant volume of passengers, yet small enough to avoid some of the logistical nightmares that come with mega-airport status. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on these middleweight champions, particularly those that have demonstrated exceptional performance in on-time departures throughout 2023, serving between 15,000,000 and 25,000,000 travelers annually worldwide.
Our annual report highlights the top 20 airports worldwide in this category. The data clearly shows that there are several medium-sized airport hubs that excel in departure on-time performance.
Leading the pack and taking the #1 ranking is Osaka International Airport (ITM), the regional gateway for Japan’s Kansai region, boasting a departure performance of 90.71% on over 130,000 flights for the year.
Deserving of honorable mention, is Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama, a gateway airport to the Americas, with a departure OTP of 90.51% on over 121,000 flights. Also ranking high is Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) in Lima, Peru, with a departure OTP of 89.10% on over 150,000 flights.
These top performers are accompanied by numerous other medium-sized airports that have demonstrated impressive on-time departure performance. Congratulations to Osaka International Airport for their exceptional performance!
While ensuring on-time departures is crucial, it is equally important to adopt a comprehensive approach to airport management. The exemplary performance of medium-sized airports in 2023 has demonstrated that success stems from a combination of robust infrastructure, strategic partnerships, economic growth, and a culture of innovation. This serves as a valuable lesson for airports of all sizes, emphasizing the significance of embracing these principles.
Report highlights
Delta Air Lines Secures Cirium’s Platinum Award for Operational Excellence for Fourth Year Running
Aeromexico Recognized as the Most On-Time Airline in the Global Category
Regional Leaders Announced: Delta Air Lines, Copa Airlines, Iberia Express, Japan Airlines, and FlySafair Take Top Honors
Bogotá El Dorado International Airport Earns Cirium’s Inaugural Airport Platinum Award
Riyadh King Khalid International Airport Named Most On-Time Global Airport for 2024
Jay Morgan, Director, Professional Data Services, Cirium
In a very demanding year Copa Airlines soared to the top of our on-time rankings.
Copa operated at a very high level of on-time performance, with 89.46% of its flights arriving on time, surpassing avianca (85.73%) and last year’s winner Azul (85.51%). In addition, Copa achieved significant reduction in cancellations (63%) year over year—a noteworthy improvement in the passenger experience.
In 2023 LATAM (84.07%) recorded over 494,000 flights — more than double the number of the other carriers in the top nine, apart from Azul that flew approximately 303,000 flights.
Latin America continued to see growth in operations throughout 2023. Increased demand for domestic and international travel, cargo, plus the addition of Aerus and Mexicana de Aviacion set the stage for newly opened routes and significant new aircraft orders and leases.
Scheduled Latin American commercial passenger flights increased by 16% year over year. The top carriers in the region operated at 117% of their pre-pandemic levels and are fully expected to continue to see growth in 2024.
These are very encouraging statistics overall, in a year that saw the restructuring of three major Latin American carriers. These airlines added new routes to their schedules and modernized their fleets demonstrating that they are keeping pace with a very strong post-COVID recovery.
Report highlights
Delta Air Lines Secures Cirium’s Platinum Award for Operational Excellence for Fourth Year Running
Aeromexico Recognized as the Most On-Time Airline in the Global Category
Regional Leaders Announced: Delta Air Lines, Copa Airlines, Iberia Express, Japan Airlines, and FlySafair Take Top Honors
Bogotá El Dorado International Airport Earns Cirium’s Inaugural Airport Platinum Award
Riyadh King Khalid International Airport Named Most On-Time Global Airport for 2024
LONDON, UK – January 30, 2024 – Cirium Ascend Consultancy, part of the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics company, Cirium, has once again demonstrated its unparalleled expertise in aircraft appraisal by winning the coveted ‘Appraiser of the Year’ award at the Airline Economics Aviation 100 Global Leaders Awards 2024. This remarkable achievement marks the ninth time that Cirium Ascend Consultancy has been honored with this prestigious award, reinforcing its position as a leading consultancy in the aviation industry.
The award, presented in Dublin at the Growth Frontiers conference, recognizes Cirium Ascend Consultancy’s unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in aviation analytics and consultancy. This year’s accolade is particularly significant, as it reflects the company’s dynamic adaptation and resilience in the face of ongoing global challenges, including the evolving landscape of the post-pandemic aviation industry.
Rob Morris, Global Head of Cirium Ascend Consultancy, said: “Receiving the ‘Appraiser of the Year’ award for the ninth time is not just an honor, it’s a tribute to our team’s dedication and hard work. This recognition perfectly demonstrates our commitment to providing accurate, timely, and insightful aircraft appraisals to our clients. In a year that has been full of complexities and rapid changes, this award is a reminder that our relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation sets us apart. We have a team of 30 appraisers, nine of which are ISTAT certified.”
Over the years, Cirium Ascend Consultancy has consistently raised the bar in aviation analytics, providing invaluable insights that have shaped the strategies of key players in the industry.
The company’s comprehensive approach, combining cutting-edge technology with deep market knowledge, has been instrumental in offering precise appraisals and strategic advisory services.
The award further underscores Cirium Ascend Consultancy’s role in navigating the recovery and growth of the aviation market in 2024, amidst a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Cirium Ascend Consultancy’s contributions extend beyond appraisals, encompassing various aspects of aviation analytics such as risk management, asset tracking, and sustainability evaluations.
The firm’s innovative solutions, including CO2 emissions benchmarking and fuel consumption analysis, reflect its commitment to supporting the industry’s transition towards a more sustainable future.
This year’s award also highlights Cirium Ascend Consultancy’s significant impact on aviation finance, with their analytics playing a critical role in smarter investment decisions. The firm’s data and insights have proven invaluable for banks, insurers, lessors, and other financial institutions in managing risk and maximizing opportunities.
The 2024 ‘Appraiser of the Year’ award not only celebrates Cirium Ascend Consultancy’s achievements but also symbolizes the trust and confidence that the aviation community places in the firm. It is a recognition of their ability to deliver reliable and innovative solutions that drive the industry forward.
Get more information about Cirium Ascend Consultancy and their award-winning services, here.
About Cirium Ascend Consultancy Cirium Ascend Consultancy, a division of Cirium, offers market-leading expertise to help inform and drive successful strategies in the commercial aviation industry. With a global team of seasoned consultants and analysts, Cirium Ascend Consultancy delivers comprehensive data, expert insights, and tailored services that directly impact strategic investments and open avenues for growth in aviation.
Following the release of Cirium’s On-Time Performance Report for 2023, Delta Air Lines has once again been named the most punctual North American airline. The airline recorded an impressive 84.72% punctuality, the best among North American airlines, maintaining a successful performance from the previous year.
For the third year in a row, Cirium also presented the Atlanta-based carrier with the Platinum Award for Operational Excellence. This prestigious accolade is a testament to Delta’s unwavering commitment to punctuality and operational excellence. The Cirium Platinum Award, given to airlines that excel in on-time performance while navigating considerable operational complexities, reflects the hard work and dedication of Delta’s team.
The Cirium Platinum Award is not just about on-time performance; it also considers the airline’s network, volume of flights, and the ability to limit the impact of flight disruptions on passengers. Delta’s accomplishment in these areas, particularly during challenging times for the airline industry, speaks volumes about its operational efficiency and customer-focused approach.
An award presentation took place on January 24th and 25th during Delta LEAD 2024 Conference at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, to mark their outstanding achievements.
The LEAD 2024 Conference brought together 6,000 employees from Delta’s leadership team from across the company to discuss the airline’s objectives for 2024. This two-day conference set the tone for the year, discussing the airline’s finance, operations, people, customer experience (CX), and listening to external perspectives.
Jeremy Bowen, Cirium CEO, presented Delta’s awards to Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines along with six frontline team members representing all who make on-time performance a reality for Delta. Mike Malik, Cirium Chief Marketing Officer, Lydia Webb, Cirium Marketing Director, and Kirk Nagy, Cirium Enterprise Business Development Manager, were also in attendance.
“At Cirium we have a team that is passionate about airline operations. Many have decades of airline experience; we understand the complexity and challenge of getting people to their destinations safely and on time. Delta’s accomplishment, particularly during challenging times for the airline industry, speaks volumes about its operational efficiency and customer-focused approach.”
Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium
Congratulations to the entire Delta team for their hard work and dedication, which have contributed to this amazing success. Delta’s achievement sets a high standard for operational performance in the airline industry, and it is an inspiration for others. – Jeremy Bowen.
Report highlights
Delta Air Lines Secures Cirium’s Platinum Award for Operational Excellence for Fourth Year Running
Aeromexico Recognized as the Most On-Time Airline in the Global Category
Regional Leaders Announced: Delta Air Lines, Copa Airlines, Iberia Express, Japan Airlines, and FlySafair Take Top Honors
Bogotá El Dorado International Airport Earns Cirium’s Inaugural Airport Platinum Award
Riyadh King Khalid International Airport Named Most On-Time Global Airport for 2024
About Cirium Cirium® is the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics. The company delivers powerful data and cutting-edge analytics to empower a wide spectrum of industry players. It equips airlines, airports, travel enterprises, aircraft manufacturers, and financial entities with the clarity and intelligence they need to optimize their operations, make informed decisions, and accelerate revenue growth.
Cirium® is part of LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, a RELX business, which provides information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.
The airline industry has emerged from the shadows of the pandemic, showing signs of robust recovery and resilience. As we review the year 2023 and look forward to 2024, it’s clear that the sector is not just surviving but thriving in many aspects.
The 2023 On-Time Performance Review showcases the airline industry’s performance rebound. It’s a pleasure for Cirium to acknowledge the industry leaders of this resurgence.
A special congratulations to Delta Air Lines for winning the prestigious 2023 Platinum Award for the third year in a row, achieving an impressive 84.72% on-time rate.
Cirium’s on-time performance analysis, a staple in the industry for over 15 years, has been pivotal in evaluating the punctuality of airlines and airports. In 2023, the industry saw significant growth, with over 32+ million scheduled passenger flights. This increase, coupled with an upsurge in seat capacity, underscores the sector’s expansion. As we look towards 2024, Cirium remains committed to delivering comprehensive and unbiased on- time performance (OTP) data. This information, derived from an extensive array of sources including airlines, airports, and civil aviation authorities, offers a neutral, third-party perspective. Our independent board of advisors, experts in the field, guarantees the accuracy and fairness of our reports, ensuring they reflect a true picture of the industry’s performance.
In reviewing 2023, global passenger numbers made a significant comeback, narrowly surpassing pre-pandemic levels by the peak summer months. This recovery, while uneven across different regions, marked a pivotal moment for an industry that had faced unprecedented challenges. The US and Western European markets led the way, with passenger revenues in the US domestic market reaching 20% above 2019 levels by the third quarter.
This surge in demand, however, came with its own set of challenges, including increased competition and rising operational costs.
Business travel, a key segment for the industry, continued to lag behind due to ongoing cost management and a growing focus on sustainability within corporate policies. This was reflected in the major Global Distribution Systems (GDS), where agency bookings remained below pre-pandemic levels throughout 2023.
Looking ahead to 2024, the outlook remains cautiously optimistic. The recovery is expected to continue, albeit at a slightly moderated pace. While passenger numbers might end slightly lower than pre-pandemic levels, revenue growth is projected to be robust, potentially surpassing 2019 figures. However, this optimism is tempered by the need for the industry to balance supply and demand effectively, especially considering the rising input costs.
The Asia-Pacific region, particularly China, has shown a delayed but steady recovery trajectory, contributing to the global upswing in demand. This regional growth is expected to play a significant role in driving the global industry forward in 2024.
However, the industry faces new challenges and uncertainties. The lessons learned from the pandemic, combined with ongoing geopolitical tensions and environmental pressures, are shaping a new era of strategic thinking and operational efficiency in the airline industry.
How airlines navigate these factors will be crucial in determining their success in the coming year.
In conclusion, the airline industry is on a path to recovery, marked by significant strides in 2023 and a positive but cautious outlook for 2024.
The Cirium team looks forward to providing more critical aviation data in 2024. The journey ahead is laden with opportunities and challenges, as the sector adapts to a rapidly changing global landscape.
Report highlights
Delta Air Lines Secures Cirium’s Platinum Award for Operational Excellence for Fourth Year Running
Aeromexico Recognized as the Most On-Time Airline in the Global Category
Regional Leaders Announced: Delta Air Lines, Copa Airlines, Iberia Express, Japan Airlines, and FlySafair Take Top Honors
Bogotá El Dorado International Airport Earns Cirium’s Inaugural Airport Platinum Award
Riyadh King Khalid International Airport Named Most On-Time Global Airport for 2024
Luis Felipe de Oliveria, Director General, ACI World
According to ACI World, 2024 is expected to be a milestone for global passenger traffic as it reaches 9.4 billion passengers, surpassing the year 2019 that welcomed 9.2 billion passengers (102.5% of the 2019 level).
Upside factors include the consolidation of the reopening of the Chinese market and surge in domestic travel, supply chain disruptions gradually subsiding, and inflation slowing down.
While downside risks remain present, we continue to witness the dedicated efforts and commitment of ACI airport members and partners—such as their on-time performance—and we are filled with optimism about the industry’s future.
The airport categories in the On-Time Performance Review are based on the current level of flight activity. American airports reached great results with Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (MSP) leading in the Global and Large airport categories. American Airports – Salt Lake City International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport take fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth place respectively in the Global category. Indian airports strengthen their on-time performance and continue last year’s trend – Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and Kempegowda International Airport leap to second and third place in both the Global and Large Airport categories.
Japanese airports continue to prove their on-time performance lead with Osaka International Airport holding first position in the Medium Airport category, while Chubu Centrair International Airport takes second position in the Small Airport category.
Latin American airports make significant headway in all airport categories; Mariscal Sucre International Airport leads in the Small Airport category and Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport achieve third place; Tocumen International Airport, Jorge Chavez International Airport, and Brasilia International Airport secure second, third and fourth in the Medium airports category; and El Dorado International Airport the fourth in the Global and Large airports categories–all participating in the top 5 of their respective groups.
Their stellar performance could not be better timed: Latin America and the Caribbean is in fact forecasted by ACI World to be the first region to surpass its 2019 level, reaching 707 million passengers, or 102.9% of the 2019 level by the end of 2023.
It is clear that airlines’ performance is attached to airport results and vice versa, showing once more the joint efforts to build efficiency with benefits for passengers and the whole aviation ecosystem. Congratulations to the top airports in each of the categories for their exceptional on-time performance as we continue to build a sustainable aviation ecosystem fit to welcome current and future travellers with efficiency, performance, and an exceptional passenger experience. We can only operate successfully and reach new heights as an ecosystem when all aviation stakeholders come together around the needs of passengers and communities worldwide.
Delta Air Lines celebrates its third consecutive year as Cirium’s Platinum Award winner for global operational excellence.
Avianca Airlines emerges as the global leader in punctuality.
Delta Air Lines also comes out on top in North America, with Iberia Express leading in Europe, Copa in Latin America, ANA in Asia Pacific, and Oman Air in the Middle East and Africa. Safair triumphs as the leading low-cost carrier.
Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport stands out as the top global airport performer in 2023.
LONDON, JANUARY 2, 2024 – In an industry synonymous with operational complexity, Cirium, the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics, today announces its much-anticipated 2023 On-Time Performance Review that celebrates operating excellence. This year’s winners, hailing from every corner of the globe, have not only risen to the occasion but have set new benchmarks in operational performance and punctuality.
Delta Air Lines has been honored with the Cirium Platinum Award for the third year running, a demonstration of its commitment to operational performance and minimizing passenger disruption.
Along with Delta winning the Cirium Platinum Award, the airline also topped the rankings for being the most on-time airline in North America. The coveted position of the most on-time Global airline went to Avianca Airlines, based in Bogota, Colombia. The winners in the other regions are ANA for Asia Pacific, Oman Air for the Middle East and Africa, Copa in Latin America, and Iberia Express in Europe. Safair was the leading low-cost carrier and Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport was the top airport performer globally. More in-depth results are available below and download the 2023 On-Time Performance Review for the full results.
An on-time flight is defined as a flight that arrives within 15 minutes of the scheduled gate arrival. For an airport, it is defined as departing within 15 minutes of its scheduled departure.
Their relentless pursuit of efficiency and punctuality is commendable as we venture into 2024, a year brimming with promise for the aviation sector.
Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium, remarks, “It’s incredible to witness Delta Air Lines winning its third consecutive Platinum Award and topping the North American Category. Other airline and airport winners steered through the year’s operational hurdles with exceptional performance. Their relentless pursuit of efficiency and punctuality is commendable as we venture into 2024, a year brimming with promise for the aviation sector.”
Now in its 15th year, the Cirium On-Time Performance program continues to meticulously monitor global airline operational performance. Our extensive and unbiased data, derived from over 600 real-time information sources, is essential for industry stakeholders. Our data encompasses airlines, airports, global distribution systems, civil aviation authorities, and more, ensuring a comprehensive and neutral perspective.
The company’s data and analytics are based on the widest and deepest pool of information collected and curated from more than 600 sources of real-time flight information.
Cirium is continuing to lead the way, worldwide, in monitoring aviation on-time performance in the New Year, as the industry adjusts to post-pandemic norms. The company’s data and analytics are designed to provide industry stakeholders with a neutral, third-party perspective, based on the widest and deepest pool of information collected and curated from more than 600 sources of real-time flight information.
These include the airlines themselves, airports, global distribution systems, positional data, civil aviation authorities, air navigation service providers, proprietary data partnerships and the internet. Cirium’s on-time performance data is backed by a completely independent board of advisors, comprised of industry experts with an unbiased view of the aviation sector. The board’s oversight ensures accuracy and proper representation of all the information the company presents.
About Cirium Cirium® is the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics. The company delivers powerful data and cutting-edge analytics to empower a wide spectrum of industry players. It equips airlines, airports, travel enterprises, aircraft manufacturers, and financial entities with the clarity and intelligence they need to optimize their operations, make informed decisions, and accelerate revenue growth.
Cirium® is part of LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, a RELX business, which provides information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.
