Iberia and Iberia Express named Europe’s most punctual airlines of 2023 in Tenerife

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Today, Iberia and Iberia Express were honored with awards acknowledging them as the most punctual airlines in Europe for the year 2023, as per the rankings by the international consultancy Cirium. The award ceremony took place at Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna Airport and was graced by notable figures including Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, Director General of Planning, Training, and Tourism Promotion of the Government of the Canary Islands; Francisco Javier Osmán, Director of Tenerife Norte Airport; Mike Malik, Marketing Director of Cirium; Carlos Gómez, CEO of Iberia Express, and Gonzalo Salinas, director of the Iberia Operational Control Center.

During the event, Iberia was commended as the second most punctual airline in Europe and fifth globally, with 84.38% of its flights operating on time out of a total of 170,750 flights.

“For Iberia, this award is a source of pride to be continuously at the top of the world’s most punctual airlines ranking. This award is not only recognition of the work we have done but also an impetus to continue working on perfecting the complex machinery that ensures that aircraft take off and land on time. A job, as I said, in which hundreds of people are involved, perfectly synchronised to respond to any incident that may arise, whether it be technical, due to the weather or an event at the airport of origin or destination, among others,” said Gonzalo Salinas, Director of Iberia’s Operations Control Centre, during the award ceremony.

Iberia Express claimed the title of the most punctual airline in Europe and ranked fifth globally among low-cost carriers, boasting an impressive on-time arrival percentage of 84.58% last year, as per Cirium’s On-time Performance Report. Furthermore, within the Canary Islands, the airline operated close to 16,000 flights in 2023, achieving a departure punctuality rate of 88.33%.

“At Iberia Express we strive to maintain high standards of efficiency and excellence in our operations in order to provide the best experience for our customers on every flight. This achievement is a source of pride for us because it serves as proof of the commitment and dedication of the entire Iberia Express team,” said Carlos Gómez, CEO at Iberia Express, during the ceremony.

In honor of this prestigious acknowledgment, an Iberia Express aircraft has been adorned with the Cirium punctuality seal, showcasing this emblematic design throughout 2024. The selected aircraft, prominently featured during the ceremony, will also proudly display the name “Canary Islands” as a tribute to this pivotal market, which has remained integral to the company since its inception.

Carlos Gómez wanted to emphasise the important role of the Canary Islands for the airline, currently positioned as its most important market. “In 2023 we will exceed 2.8 million passengers with the archipelago for the first time, and we are already very close to reaching the figure of 20 million customers in the 12 years that we have been operating in the region. The Canary Islands account for around 40% of our production, so we are proud to come here to receive and celebrate this important award.”. 

Punctuality, the hallmark of the Iberia Group

For the past eight years, Iberia has consistently ranked among the most punctual airlines in Europe, consistently securing a position in the world’s top 10. According to the latest available report in January, Iberia claimed the title of the most punctual airline globally.

Since its inception in March 2012, Iberia Express has upheld a standard of operational excellence, leading to a remarkable track record over the past 12 years. Between 2014 and 2018, Iberia Express held the distinction of being the world’s most punctual low-cost airline for five consecutive years. Moreover, in 2019, 2022, and 2023, it emerged as the most punctual airline in Europe.

Iberia Express’s Commitment to the Canary Islands

In 2023, Iberia Express significantly expanded its operations to the Canary Islands, marking a nearly 12% increase compared to 2022. With a total of 16,000 flights to Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and La Palma, the airline reinforced its service to the archipelago, particularly during peak periods such as Carnival, Easter, and Christmas, aiming to boost tourism while facilitating travel for residents.

In the upcoming summer season of 2024, commencing in April and extending through October, Iberia Express plans another surge in operations to all the islands, exceeding 2 million seats in total. Notably, the airline anticipates offering over 800,000 seats to Tenerife during this period.

Additionally, Iberia Express provides connecting flights to over 100 international destinations within the Iberia Group. In 2023, more than 22% of the airline’s customers traveling to the Canary Islands opted for connecting flights to various cities across Europe, Latin America, and the USA.

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