Saudia has achieved a major international milestone by ranking first globally for airline punctuality in May 2026, according to the latest report released by aviation analytics company Cirium.
The achievement further strengthens the airline’s position among the world’s leading carriers and highlights the remarkable progress of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector in line with Vision 2030 goals.
According to the report, Saudia recorded an on-time departure rate of 92.30% and an on-time arrival rate of 90.12%, based on more than 13,600 flights operated across a network of over 100 destinations spanning four continents.
The accomplishment came during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, coinciding with the arrival phase of the 1447 AH Hajj season and the Eid Al-Adha holiday period, demonstrating the airline’s ability to maintain exceptional operational performance even during peak demand.
The latest recognition builds on Saudia’s strong track record, having previously ranked second globally for arrival punctuality in 2025 according to Cirium’s annual review for the second consecutive year.
Saudia attributed the achievement to close coordination across the Saudia Group, advanced flight management systems, strategic operational planning, and continuous investments in operational efficiency and service quality.
The airline is also preparing for significant expansion in the coming years, with 116 new aircraft scheduled to join its current fleet of 149 aircraft. The expansion is expected to increase capacity, support additional flight frequencies, and enable the launch of new international destinations.
Beyond aviation, Saudia continues to play a key 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 during 2025, further strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a global tourism destination.
This latest achievement reflects the rapid transformation of Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry and reinforces Saudia’s commitment to delivering reliable, efficient, and world-class travel experiences for passengers around the globe.
