The aviation industry has unveiled its most punctual airlines and airports for 2025, showcasing impressive achievements amid growing operational challenges. According to Cirium’s report, “On-Time Performance Review 2025,” the global landscape for air travel is increasingly complex, with an estimated 38.9 million flights expected this year and various geopolitical factors influencing airspace management. The report highlights twelve standout airports and airlines that have excelled in maintaining on-time schedules, ultimately enhancing passenger satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Top Performers in Punctuality
Istanbul Airport (IST) has earned the title of Platinum Winner airport for 2025, marking its dominance in performance and reliability. Handling over 84 million passengers across 330 destinations annually, this Turkish hub has become one of the most connected airports worldwide. Notably, in April 2025, Istanbul Airport implemented triple independent runway operations, boosting its capacity from 120 to 148 movements per hour. Despite its scale and complexity, Cirium reports that Istanbul Airport achieved an on-time performance (OTP) rate of **80.72%**, ranking it No. 19 globally among large airports.
In the category of large airports, Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Chile excelled with an OTP of **87.04%**, serving **153,326 flights** on **68 routes**. The airport’s enhanced capabilities stem from the opening of its new Terminal 2 in 2022, which significantly increased its passenger handling capacity. Meanwhile, Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport secured the title of the best-performing medium-sized airport, achieving an impressive **93.34%** punctuality across **148,065 flights**.
Ecuador’s Guayaquil José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport ranked as the top small airport globally, with a punctuality rate of **91.47%** on **34,068 flights**. Cirium classifies large airports as those handling **25 to 50 million seats** annually, medium airports as accommodating **15 to 20 million**, and small airports as those covering **5 to 15 million**.
Award-Winning Airlines
In the realm of airlines, Qatar Airways claimed the Platinum Winner title, having been named the world’s best airline by Skytrax in 2025. The carrier achieved an OTP of **84.42%**, an improvement from **82.83%** in the previous year, across **198,303 flights**. The airline adeptly navigated disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, weather fluctuations, and aircraft availability, ensuring passengers reached their destinations smoothly.
For the second consecutive year, Aeroméxico, Mexico’s flag carrier, topped the list for on-time performance among airlines, recording an OTP of **90.02%** across **188,859 flights**. Philippine Airlines emerged as the leader in the Asia Pacific region with a punctuality rate of **83.12%**, despite the congestion challenges at its home base, Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
In North America, Delta Air Lines achieved an OTP of **80.9%** across more than **1.8 million flights**, demonstrating resilience despite facing significant air traffic control challenges and a government shutdown that lasted **43 days**. Spain’s Iberia Express maintained its reputation as Europe’s top airline for on-time performance, achieving **88.94%** punctuality across **37,119 flights**, despite major operational challenges, including a power outage and a global software issue.
Copa Airlines, the flag carrier of Panama, led the Latin American airlines with a punctuality rate of **90.75%** across **133,748 flights**. This region is expected to become increasingly significant in global aviation, projected to account for **8.5%** of worldwide passenger traffic in 2025, according to Airports Council International (ACI).
South Africa’s FlySafair was recognized as the leading airline in the Middle East and Africa, with an OTP of **91.06%** across **62,805 flights**. Additionally, Virgin Atlantic was celebrated as the Most Improved Airline in 2025, achieving **83.45%** punctuality, a marked increase from **74.01%** in 2023.
The insights provided by Cirium’s comprehensive review highlight the ongoing efforts within the aviation industry to enhance operational efficiency and maintain passenger trust amid a rapidly evolving global landscape.
