Exceptional Performance in European Aviation
Spanish airlines Iberia and Iberia Express have risen to the top of the punctuality rankings among European carriers in 2024. Data from the analytics firm Cirium reveals that Iberia Express not only led as the most punctual airline in Europe with an impressive 84.69% on-time arrival rate but also dominated as the world’s most punctual low-cost airline. Following closely, Iberia secured the second position in Europe with 81.58% of its 183,268 flights arriving on time, positioning it as the eighth most punctual airline globally.
This achievement is particularly significant given the numerous adversities the aviation sector faced over the year. Challenges such as regulatory changes in European airspace, congestion at major airports, labor disputes in air traffic control, and a global shortage of aviation parts have posed substantial hurdles.
Corporate Commitment to Operational Excellence
Marco Sansavini, President of Iberia, emphasized the airline’s dedication to maintaining high punctuality standards, which are a primary expectation among its customers. Despite the operational challenges, the recognition by Cirium serves as a testament to the airline’s relentless pursuit of excellence. Looking ahead to 2025, Iberia is committed to enhancing its operational processes to achieve even higher punctuality rates.
The CEO of Iberia Express, Carlos Gómez, highlighted the collective effort of the team, which has been crucial in achieving and maintaining high standards of operational excellence. He expressed gratitude towards the operational crews and support teams that have played a pivotal role throughout the year.
Historical Consistency in Performance
The IAG-owned airlines have a long history of operational excellence. Iberia has been a top contender in punctuality both in Europe and globally over the past nine years. Iberia Express has been the world’s most punctual low-cost airline for several years, including a five-year streak from 2014 to 2018, and again in 2019 and 2022, with remarkable punctuality in the European sector in 2023. In key markets like the Canary and Balearic Islands, Iberia Express consistently achieved departure punctuality rates above 90%.
Cirium in its report lauded Iberia Express for its reliability and dedication to punctuality, which reflects its commitment to operational excellence. The airline has managed to increase flight numbers and fleet utilization while maintaining punctuality, a testament to its efficient operational model that integrates with Iberia’s network, supporting the group’s overall service offering.