Published on
August 13, 2025
Europes most punctual airline, Icelandair is top of the board in on-time performance for July 2025 despite experiencing a minor slump and climbing worldwide flight cancellations. Icelandair, maintaining an impressive on-time performance (OTP) rate of 81.4%, remains committed to prioritizing reliability, even in the face of the ongoing challenges within the global aviation industry. While the carrier´s OTP dropped more than 4 percentage points from June, helping guarantee its leadership as the global industry faced major flight disruptions and cancellations.
Airwyas yet again has ranked as the most punctual airline in Europe during July 2025 when it comes to on-time performance (OTP). Scandinavian airline SAS reached a 87.8% on-time performance (OTP) rate during June, Cirium said in the latest monthly On-Time Performance Report. This was slightly down on the more than four percentage-point improvement Icelandair made in June, but it still saw the carrier take the honours as Europe’s most punctual airline.
Icelandair is still one of the best performing airlines in Europe (and much better than most US majors). The airline has developed a reputation for reliability as one of the coattail leaders in Europe. In July, the airline continued to deliver higher on-time performance that serves its passengers well at a time of significant disruptions across the global aviation sector.
SAS and Other Top European Airlines: A Close Race for Punctuality
Following Icelandair, Scandinavian carrier SAS secured the second spot for punctuality in Europe with an OTP of 81%. While SAS showed strong performance, it was just slightly behind Icelandair in terms of on-time arrivals. Other notable performers in Europe included Turkish Airlines, Finnair, and Iberia, which rounded out the top five with OTPs of 77.2%, 75%, and 75%, respectively.
The strong showing by SAS and other European airlines highlights the growing importance of punctuality in the competitive European aviation market. Passengers increasingly prioritize timely departures and arrivals, especially given the growing disruptions across the global air travel network.
Latin American and Middle Eastern Airlines Dominate Global Punctuality Rankings
While Europe saw a mix of strong performances from its airlines, the global airline scene was dominated by carriers from Latin America and the Middle East. Aeromexico claimed the top spot globally for punctuality with an outstanding OTP of 89.8% in July 2025. The airline’s commitment to reliable service was clearly reflected in its top-tier on-time performance.
After Aeromexico, Brazilian airline Azul secured the second position with an on-time performance of 87.9%. Saudia from the Middle East followed in third with 87.6%, while Qatar Airways claimed the fourth spot with a performance rate of 85.8%. LATAM Airlines rounded out the top five with a strong OTP of 82.1%, underscoring the growing prominence of Latin American and Middle Eastern carriers in global aviation.
These airlines’ success in maintaining punctual operations in July is a testament to their operational efficiency and customer-focused strategies. With the global aviation market becoming increasingly competitive, these airlines’ commitment to punctuality gives them an edge over their counterparts.
A Challenging Month for Global Air Travel: Cancellations Soar
Despite some carriers’ strong performance, July 2025 was another turbulent month for global air travel, with the total number of flight cancellations exceeding 58,000. This figure represents a 5% increase over the 55,000 cancellations recorded in May, although it marks a significant improvement over the disruptive month of June, which saw higher cancellation rates due to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Iran.
The rise in cancellations during July is reflective of the persistent challenges faced by airlines worldwide. Weather disruptions, staffing shortages, and logistical issues continue to impact air travel, making it a challenging environment for passengers and carriers alike. For travelers, the unpredictability of flight schedules remains a significant concern.
Flight Cancellations in Europe and North America
In Europe, air travel disruptions were particularly pronounced, with 10,640 flight cancellations recorded in July. This was a 29.5% increase from June’s figure of 8,315 cancellations. The rise in cancellations in Europe follows a broader trend of rising flight disruptions across the continent, contributing to delays and frustration for many passengers.
North America also faced similar challenges, with cancellations in July increasing by 42% compared to June. Nearly 20,000 flights were canceled in North America during the month, highlighting the growing scale of disruptions across the region. These cancellations are a result of a variety of factors, including weather-related issues, air traffic control delays, and crew shortages, which have made it more difficult for airlines to maintain consistent schedules.
Oslo, Norway: Europe’s Only Major Airport in the Global Top 20 for On-Time Performance
As global airports continue to struggle with operational delays, Oslo in Norway stood out as the only European airport to make it onto Cirium’s list of the top 20 most on-time large airports in July 2025. With an OTP of 80.6%, Oslo ranked 18th globally for punctuality, demonstrating the airport’s ability to handle its air traffic efficiently despite broader industry challenges.
Oslo’s strong performance reflects the effectiveness of its operational systems and the commitment of its staff to maintaining on-time services for passengers. The airport’s performance in July is a testament to its ability to maintain high standards of punctuality, even in a challenging global travel environment.
Bengaluru and Chennai: Leaders in Global Airport Punctuality
In July, despite the struggles of European airports with punctuality, Bengaluru and Chennai airports in India emerged as global leaders in on-time performance. Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport and Chennai’s Anna International Airport were ranked as the top two major airports worldwide for punctuality, reinforcing India’s growing reputation for efficient air travel infrastructure.
Bengaluru, with its modern facilities and advanced operational systems, achieved an outstanding OTP of 85%, while Chennai followed closely with a solid OTP of 83%. These airports have become models of operational excellence, attracting attention from airlines and passengers worldwide who value timely departures and arrivals.
July 2025: An Overview of the Aviation Sector’s Challenges and Successes
The month of July 2025 was a mixed bag for the aviation industry, with some airlines and airports excelling in punctuality, while others faced significant disruptions. Icelandair’s continued dominance in Europe is a positive sign for travelers seeking reliable service in an increasingly unpredictable travel environment.
However, the rise in flight cancellations globally—especially in Europe and North America—highlights the ongoing challenges the industry faces. These disruptions serve as a reminder of the need for ongoing improvements in air travel operations, particularly in the face of rising demand and unpredictable global events.
What Lies Ahead for Global Aviation?
While the global aviation industry continues to struggle with operational difficulties, it is evident that punctuality will be an important part of the performance scorecard going forward. Most notably, while Icelandair performed extremely well within Europe, airlines from the Latin America and Middle East regions showed strong competitive advantages — illustrating that airlines as well as airports with a sharper focus on efficiency and reliability are positioned to regain some semblance of normalcy.
For travelers, the growing number of cancellations and delays should serve as a caution to prepare in advance and be aware of any potential service interruptions. The significance of booking with established, time-tested airlines and airports cannot be overstated, as these are the entities that at this time can make for a still-airworthy part of an otherwise increasingly bad travel equation.
The chart above displays Icelandair’s monthly on-time performance (OTP) results, with the airline leading the European rankings in July 2025, achieving an OTP of 81.4%, despite experiencing a slight decline from its June performance. Although global flight cancellations increased, Icelandair was able to maintain its position as the top ranked airline in Europe. Its record is a testament to the airline’s reliability at time when aviation disruption has become increasingly widespread and severe across the globe.
During that 2025 period, airlines, airports and passengers should have made the transition to what they once regarded as normal; a far more predictable landscape where cancellations and delays are few and operational excellence is taken for granted. Yet, the struggles of global air travel are far from behind as we all must seek to make a more flexible world and long-haul air travel adapts to meet the needs of travelers in this changed universe.
