Saudia Again Ranks Second Globally For On-Time Arrivals In 2025, Cirium Reports

Saudia has been ranked second worldwide for on-time arrival performance in 2025 by aviation analytics firm Cirium, maintaining a position in the global top two for the second year in a row. The recognition highlights Saudia’s performance across its extensive international route network.

Cirium’s 2025 On-Time Performance Review shows that Saudia achieved an on-time arrival rate of 86.53 percent. The figure covers more than 202,800 flights across its network, which links guests to over 100 destinations spread across four continents.

Saudia Group director-general Ibrahim Al-Omar explained that the ranking reflects the combined work of planning, operations, and flight management teams. Al-Omar said operational efficiency remains a central pillar in Saudia’s long-term strategy and is directly connected to the overall guest journey, where time reliability is critical.

Al-Omar noted that Saudia’s operational strength depends on close integration between the different companies within Saudia Group and strong collaboration with partners across the Kingdom’s aviation ecosystem. This approach supports punctual operations and helps align daily performance with wider sector developments in Saudi Arabia.

Looking ahead, Saudia is preparing a large-scale fleet expansion programme designed to support future growth while preserving on-time performance. The airline plans to add 116 new aircraft over the coming years, increasing the total fleet beyond the current 149 aircraft and strengthening its capacity for both regional and long-haul services.

The additional aircraft are expected to increase flight frequencies and seating capacity on existing routes, while also supporting the launch of new international destinations. Saudia stated that all necessary resources have been allocated to handle this growth, with a clear focus on sustaining operational efficiency as the network expands.

The airline reported that its expansion and on-time performance are supported by qualified national talent and an advanced operations centre. The centre supervises flight operations using the latest aviation technologies, helping Saudia maintain schedule reliability and manage complex flight movements across its four-continent network.

Saudia’s operational performance is closely linked to its role in connecting the Kingdom with the world, transporting guests to major events hosted across Saudi Arabia. These include global conferences, as well as tourism, entertainment, and sporting events that support national objectives and attract international visitors.

The airline affirmed that punctual operations remain a core part of enhancing the guest experience, alongside services and products offered on the ground and in the air. By combining on-time performance with service development, Saudia aims to support growing demand while maintaining reliability for guests travelling to and from the Kingdom.

With inputs from SPA