GACA Releases April 2025 Report On Airport And National Carrier On-Time Performance In Saudi Arabia

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has released its April 2025 report, highlighting the performance of airports and national carriers in Saudi Arabia. The report evaluates how well these entities adhere to flight schedules, focusing on flights departing or arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled time. This initiative aims to enhance service quality and improve the overall travel experience for passengers.

In the category of international airports handling over 15 million passengers annually, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh achieved a compliance rate of 90%, securing the top position. Meanwhile, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam led the second category for airports managing between 5 million and 15 million passengers annually, with an 87% compliance rate.

Abha International Airport excelled in the third category, which includes international airports with 2 million to 5 million passengers annually, achieving a compliance rate of 91%. NEOM International Airport topped the fourth category for airports with fewer than 2 million passengers annually, boasting a compliance rate of 95%.

Turaif Airport and Wadi Al-Dawasir Airport both achieved perfect compliance rates of 100% in the fifth category, which covers domestic airports. These results reflect significant efforts to maintain punctuality across various airport categories.

At the airline level, Saudia recorded an on-time arrival rate of 89% and an on-time departure rate of 89%. flynas achieved an arrival rate of 86% and a departure rate of 91%, while flyadeal posted arrival and departure rates of 87% and 91%, respectively. These figures demonstrate a strong commitment to maintaining schedule adherence among national carriers.

The report also highlighted top-performing routes. Domestically, the Riyadh–Abha route achieved a remarkable on-time performance rate of 96%. Internationally, the Riyadh–Amman route led with a compliance rate of 97%, showcasing efficient operations on these key routes.

Aligning with National Aviation Strategy

These achievements align with Saudi Arabia's National Aviation Strategy objectives. The strategy aims to position the Kingdom as a leading regional aviation hub by enhancing operational standards, improving efficiency, and raising service quality for travelers. Such efforts are crucial in boosting Saudi Arabia's standing in the global aviation sector.

The GACA's report provides valuable insights into how well airports and airlines are meeting their schedules. By focusing on punctuality and service quality, Saudi Arabia continues to make strides toward becoming a prominent player in regional aviation.

With inputs from SPA