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SAS named world’s most punctual airline – a milestone in the company’s turnaround journey

SAS tops the global list as the most punctual airline in the world for April 2025, a defining milestone in the company’s ongoing transformation and a clear testament to the extraordinary efforts of its people. According to the latest report from Cirium, a leading authority in aviation analytics, SAS achieved a solid on-time arrival rate of 88,32 percent, underscoring the airline’s commitment to bringing passengers to their destinations with consistency, care, and on-time precision.

Right behind SAS on the list is Aeromexico, while Saudia secures third place — meaning the entire podium for April was claimed by airlines within the SkyTeam alliance. The same alliance sweep was seen in March, with the top three spots once again going to SkyTeam members.

“This is an incredibly proud moment for all of us at SAS,” says Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of SAS. “Being named the world’s most punctual airline— despite operating in some of the toughest weather conditions and in one of the most competitive markets — speaks volumes about the dedication and professionalism of our colleagues across the entire organization. It’s a powerful validation of how far we’ve come, and a clear signal that our focus on operational excellence is delivering the reliable, consistent service our customers rightly expect and deserve.”

The recognition comes at a time of renewal for SAS, reflecting the progress made and the new direction the airline is now taking. With its restructuring successfully completed and entry into the SkyTeam alliance finalized, the airline is entering a new chapter — becoming more agile, resilient, and focused on meeting the evolving needs of today’s travelers.

“This achievement reflects the unwavering dedication of our teams across all areas of our operation — from planning and ground handling to flight crews and support staff,” says Jason Mahoney, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. “Becoming number one in global on-time performance is no coincidence; it’s the result of disciplined execution, cross-functional collaboration, and a shared commitment to Scandinavian excellence. I’m incredibly proud of how our colleagues have embraced this challenge and delivered, day in and day out. Operational excellence is no longer a goal — it’s becoming a new standard at SAS.”

Comeback and consistency

Punctuality has always been a top priority for SAS, and in recent years the airline has launched a renewed, company-wide effort to raise performance further. Over the past years, SAS started collecting all relevant data, introduced daily operational focus meetings, strengthened cross-departmental collaboration and encouraged staff to take ownership within their areas.

“The results speak clearly. SAS has undergone a major turnaround — and the impact is undeniable. From August to November 2024, the airline ranked 1st, 2nd, 1st, and 2nd in punctuality among Europe’s larger carriers, finishing the year as the 3rd most on-time major airline in Europe and 9th worldwide. Now, SAS has reached number one globally — a powerful milestone that proves its turnaround is not only real, but delivering world-class results,” says Mike Malik, Chief Marketing Officer at Cirium.