Consistent Service and Low Cancellation Rate Help SIA Improve its Ranking Amid Regional Airline Punctuality Decline
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has secured the third position in the Asia-Pacific region for on-time performance in 2024, marking an improvement from its seventh-place ranking in 2023. With an on-time rate of 78.67%, the airline slightly exceeded its 2023 performance of 78.57%, according to aviation data specialist Cirium. Despite a regional dip in punctuality, where overall on-time performance fell by 1%, SIA’s consistency has allowed it to rise in the rankings.
The top two spots in the region were claimed by Japanese airlines, with Japan Airlines (JAL) achieving an on-time score of 80.9%, closely followed by All Nippon Airways (ANA) at 80.62%. Both airlines maintained their top positions from the previous year.
SIA’s improved ranking was largely driven by its consistent performance, particularly its impressively low flight cancellation rate of just 0.08%, well below the industry average of 1%. Although airlines such as Thai AirAsia, Garuda Indonesia, and IndiGo saw improved on-time performance in comparison to SIA in 2024, the Singaporean carrier remains committed to maintaining operational excellence and enhancing the customer experience.
Budget carrier Jetstar Asia, based in Singapore, recorded an on-time performance rate of 72.18%, while SIA’s subsidiary, Scoot, did not report sufficient data to be included in the analysis.
Globally, the most punctual airlines were Aeromexico, Saudia, and Delta Air Lines, with no Singaporean carriers making the global top ten. Regarding the most punctual airports, King Khalid International in Riyadh topped the global list with a score of 86.65%, while Changi Airport in Singapore earned a rating of 74.95%, although it did not make the global top 10.
Cirium’s analysis for 2024 included data from 35 million flights tracked globally, using information from 600 data points, including air traffic control systems and satellite tracking.
