RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's national carrier topped a list of global airlines as it achieved 88.22 percent on-time arrival in June, according to new data from independent aviation tracking website Cirium.
Saudia also recorded an on-time departure rate of 88.73 percent and operated 16,133 flights across its network of more than 100 destinations on four continents.
The achievement is significant given that June is a peak travel month due to the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage and the summer travel season. The Kingdom saw around 2 million visitors during the Hajj season this year.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh also secured the top position globally in June with the most on-time performance for the second consecutive month, according to the same report.
This comes at a time of steady growth in Saudi Arabia's aviation sector, which will contribute $21 billion to the kingdom's gross domestic product in 2023, bolstering its status as a global tourism hub.
The National Transport and Logistics Strategy aims to increase the aviation industry's contribution to GDP from the current 6 percent to 10 percent by 2030.
Ibrahim Al-Omar, CEO of Saudia Group, said: “This achievement is the realization of our strategic goals to increase operational efficiency and quality through continuous improvement in flight planning and the implementation of the best digital solutions and traffic management systems.”
He added: “Maintaining a high level of on-time performance requires considerable effort as it involves overcoming many operational challenges in the aviation industry, such as weather conditions, high temperatures, technical issues and other airport-related factors.”
Saudia has consistently ranked among the top 10 global airlines for on-time delivery since last year, reflecting its commitment to high standards of quality and aviation safety, the company said.
Its operations are coordinated through one of the largest integrated operational control centers in the Middle East, which uses the most advanced aviation communication technology to ensure smooth operations by monitoring all procedures related to aircraft take-offs and landings in real time at all domestic and international airports.
King Khalid International Airport's top rating from Cirium underscores its commitment to operational excellence and serves as a catalyst for continued improvement, said Ayman Aboabah, CEO of Riyadh Airports Co., the Saudi Press Agency reported.
“This excellence reflects our commitment to quality and operational efficiency. It motivates us to continue working with various partners at King Khalid International Airport to provide our passengers with the best travel experiences and the highest level of service,” he added.
“King Khalid International Airport is a national monument that shows the state of the Kingdom and future aspirations in line with the goals of Vision 2030,” Aboabah also said.
He emphasized the importance of his staff's dedication to the highest operational standards, which he says is a defining characteristic of airport workers, and their continuous efforts to improve the passenger experience.
King Khalid International Airport's recognition as the world's most accurate airport follows Cirium's third place ranking in January. The airport rose to the top spot in May and retained that position in June, reflecting its rapid and remarkable recent progress.
