SriLankan Airlines has achieved the remarkable feat of being named the World’s Most Punctual Airline yet again, with 90.75% of its flights in May 2019 being ‘on-time’ throughout its route network. 

This is the second time in less than 12 months that SriLankan has achieved this milestone, having also achieved the world’s number one ranking in September 2018 with a punctuality rating of 91.37%, the national carrier said in a statement.

Vipula Gunatilleka, Group Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan, said: “Heartiest congratulations to our companywide team, guided by our Punctuality Improvement Committee, that toils day in and day out to delight our customers by having our flights arrive and depart on time, every time.”

This achievement is all the more impressive due to the challenges caused by heightened security at SriLankan’s hub at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport, and clearly demonstrates the extraordinary commitment of the National Carrier in providing the finest service to its customers even during a period of adversity, the airline said.

SriLankan headed the categories of ‘Global Airlines’ and ‘Major Airlines’, among all airlines that are monitored by the flight data analysis company Flightstats.com. Flightstats analyses data of airlines across every continent - Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, and South America – including most of the world’s largest and most prestigious airlines. Airlines are placed among four categories – ‘Global Airlines’, ‘Major Airlines’, ‘Regional Airlines’ and ‘Low Cost Carriers’ – with some airlines appearing in more than one category.

In the ‘Global Airlines’ category, second place went to the Brazilian airline LATAM with Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways in third place; while the ‘Major Airlines’ category had All Nippon Airways placing second with GoAir third. 

SriLankan has consistently been one of the world’s most punctual airlines over the last 12 months, with 86% of flights departing on time and 85% arriving  on time from June 2018 through May 2019 on average. 

SriLankan said this is a remarkable achievement that speaks volumes of the efficiency of its processes and its vigorous scrutiny of every operational aspect that could affect punctuality. “A high level of punctuality also significantly contributes to the airline’s financial bottom-line, since flight delays sometimes result in additional costs being incurred.”