Saudi Arabia’s leading airports and airlines recorded exceptional on-time performance in September 2025, according to the latest General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) report.
The findings highlight how the Kingdom’s aviation network continues to improve efficiency and reliability under the National Aviation Strategy.
The monthly GACA report measures flights that depart or arrive within 15 minutes of schedule, offering travellers clear data on punctuality and helping drive service improvements across the sector.
Riyadh and Dammam airports lead the way
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh ranked first among international airports handling more than 15m passengers annually, achieving an on-time performance rate of 87 per cent.
King Fahd International Airport in Dammam topped the category for international airports serving between 5m and 15m passengers, posting a 90 per cent compliance rate.
Among international airports handling 2m to 5m passengers, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk led with 91 per cent punctuality.
AlUla International Airport ranked first in the category for international airports serving fewer than 2m passengers, achieving an impressive 97 per cent on-time rate.
In the domestic category, King Saud bin Abdulaziz Airport in Al-Baha achieved a perfect 100 per cent on-time performance — the highest across all Saudi airports.
Flyadeal records best Saudi airline performance
At the airline level, flyadeal achieved the strongest punctuality metrics, with 91 per cent of flights arriving and 93 per cent departing on time.
Saudia Airlines followed with 89 per cent for arrivals and 86 per cent for departures, while flynas posted 84 per cent and 85 per cent, respectively.
The data underscores the continued improvement in operational reliability across Saudi carriers, which are investing heavily in punctuality and customer service.
Top-performing routes
The GACA report identified the Tabuk–Riyadh domestic route as the most punctual within the Kingdom, achieving a 95 per cent on-time rate.
Internationally, the Riyadh–Doha route led all operations with a 94 per cent performance rate.
GACA said these results reflect the goals of the National Aviation Strategy, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as a leading regional and global aviation hub by improving operational standards, efficiency, and passenger experience.
Through transparent reporting and performance monitoring, the Authority continues to promote competitiveness and strengthen the Kingdom’s aviation infrastructure.
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