As of early 2025, Indian airlines have missed the global top 10 rankings for on-time performance, according to recent reports from global aviation industry analysis.

Key Data on On-Time Performance

The rankings of global airlines’ on-time performance are often based on a study by OAG (Official Aviation Guide), which measures the percentage of flights arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled time. Below is an overview of the situation and the data points:

Top 10 On-Time Airlines Globally (2024)

• ANA (All Nippon Airways) – 87.7% on-time performance
• Japan Airlines – 85.9% on-time performance
• Korean Air – 85.7% on-time performance
• Delta Airlines – 84.7% on-time performance
• Singapore Airlines – 83.6% on-time performance
• Hawaiian Airlines – 82.7% on-time performance
• Austrian Airlines – 82.5% on-time performance
• Finnair – 81.3% on-time performance
• Lufthansa – 80.4% on-time performance
• Swiss International Air Lines – 80.1% on-time performance

Indian Airlines’ Performance (2024)

Indian airlines have not made it into the top 10 for global on-time rankings. However, some of them are improving their standing, with IndiGo being one of the better performers in the country.

• IndiGo (2024) – Approximately 77% on-time performance, which is a notable improvement compared to previous years but still not in the global top 10.
• Air India (2024) – Around 75% on-time performance, showing some improvement, especially after recent investments in fleet and operations.
• SpiceJet (2024) – Roughly 70-72% on-time performance, which is below the global average.

Reasons for Lower On-Time Performance in India:

Several factors contribute to Indian airlines’ struggles in achieving better on-time performance:

• Airspace Congestion: India has a high volume of air traffic, leading to delays, especially at major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
• Weather Conditions: Heavy monsoon rains and dense fog during winter months can significantly disrupt flight schedules.
• Airport Infrastructure: Operational delays and congestion at key airports are common, as airports struggle to handle the increasing volume of flights and passengers.
• Maintenance Issues: Airlines like Air India and SpiceJet have faced maintenance challenges that have occasionally led to delays.

Improvement Initiatives:

To boost on-time performance, Indian carriers are working on several strategies:

• Modernizing Fleet: Airlines like Air India are investing in newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft, which can help improve punctuality.
• Operational Efficiency: Better management of turnaround times and crew coordination is being prioritized, particularly by IndiGo, which has historically had the best on-time performance among Indian airlines.
• Airport Infrastructure: The government and airport authorities are investing in modernizing key airports, aiming to reduce congestion and speed up boarding processes.

Global Comparison:

While Indian airlines continue to face challenges in terms of punctuality, their competitors in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, such as Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Qatar Airways, generally perform better in terms of on-time performance due to more advanced infrastructure and streamlined operations.

Summary:

Indian airlines, while making strides in punctuality, still lag behind their global peers in terms of on-time performance. The most notable carriers, like IndiGo and Air India, are working to improve operational efficiency, but external factors such as congestion, weather disruptions, and maintenance issues continue to affect their ability to secure a spot in the top 10 on-time rankings globally.