Singapore Airlines (SIA) has been ranked the fourth most punctual airline in the Asia-Pacific region for 2025, according to the latest On-Time Performance Review by global aviation analytics firm Cirium. The national carrier fell one spot from its third-place ranking in 2024, reflecting a marginal dip in punctuality as regional competition intensified.

SIA recorded an on-time performance (OTP) of 78.58% in 2025, down slightly from 78.67% the previous year, according to the Cirium report released on January 2, 2026. Despite the modest decline, the airline remained one of the region’s most reliable carriers, maintaining its strong operational consistency amid ongoing air traffic recovery post-pandemic and increasing congestion across major airports.

Regional leaders see major gains

Philippine Airlines emerged as the most punctual airline in Asia-Pacific, achieving an impressive 83.12% OTP, a sharp improvement from 76.06% in 2024 when it ranked seventh. Analysts attributed its surge to network recalibration, improved ground operations, and enhanced schedule management across its regional routes.

Air New Zealand secured second place, while Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) ranked third — both maintaining high punctuality levels that reflect strong operational reliability in their respective domestic and international networks.

In 2024, Air New Zealand had placed fourth behind SIA, while ANA had held the second position.

SIA reaffirms operational commitments

Responding to the rankings, an SIA spokesperson told The Straits Times:

“Singapore Airlines remains firmly committed to operational excellence and to enhancing the end-to-end travel experience for all our customers. We continually review our operational processes to ensure high standards of reliability and efficiency.”

Cirium noted that its annual analysis draws flight data from more than 600 global sources, including airlines, airports, radar feeds, and air traffic control systems. A flight is considered on time if it arrives or departs within 15 minutes of its scheduled gate time. Airlines are ranked based on arrival punctuality, while airports are assessed by departure performance.

Global rankings dominated by Latin American and Middle Eastern carriers

On the global stage, Mexico’s Aeromexico retained its title as the world’s most punctual airline, with an exceptional 90.02% OTP. It was followed by Saudia, the Saudi Arabian flag carrier, at 86.53%, and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) in third place with 86.09%.

Despite Singapore’s strong regional standing, no Singapore-based carrier appeared among the top 10 globally for on-time performance in 2025.

Changi Airport absent from top punctual hubs

The Cirium report also evaluated airport punctuality worldwide, categorizing hubs by annual departure volumes. Changi Airport, one of Asia’s busiest international gateways, did not appear in any of the top-performing airport categories for 2025 — a result attributed by analysts to increased post-pandemic traffic, runway works, and expansion activities that can affect scheduling precision.

Among large airports (25–40 million annual departing passengers), Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Chile ranked first with an 87.04% punctuality score, followed by Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (86.81%) and Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport (86.55%).

In the medium category (15–25 million departing passengers), Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport retained its leading position with an exceptional 93.34% OTP — marking one of the highest punctuality scores in Cirium’s 2025 analysis.

For small airports (5–15 million passengers annually), Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil, Ecuador, once again clinched the top spot with 91.47%, reinforcing Latin America’s strong showing in operational punctuality.

Global punctuality reflects growing resilience

Cirium’s 2025 findings underscore a global improvement in airline time performance, despite rising flight activity and continued congestion at several major hubs. On-time performance remains a key indicator of operational excellence and passenger satisfaction, often influencing airline reputation and customer loyalty.

The report highlights that while many Asian and Middle Eastern carriers have enhanced schedule discipline, infrastructure constraints and regional weather factors continue to pose challenges for on-time reliability in rapidly growing travel markets.

Qatar Airways has cautioned passengers that refund processing times may be extended due to ongoing operational pressures, while emphasizing that teams are actively working to handle requests as efficiently as possible.

The airline confirmed that travelers holding confirmed bookings with departure dates between February 28 and April 30, 2026, can opt either to request a full refund or modify their travel dates without penalty.

According to the carrier, refunds returned to the original method of payment could take as long as 28 working days to complete. Passengers are advised to monitor their email for updates after submitting a request, as this will provide the latest status of their application.

Qatar Airways noted that reimbursement amounts will reflect the unused portion of the ticket. Any additional services purchased, such as seat selection, will be processed and refunded separately.

Customers looking for further information or support with their bookings are encouraged to consult the airline’s official travel updates portal for the most recent guidance.

Source: Zawya

India is set to abolish temporary limits on domestic airfares from Monday, according to a government directive reviewed by Reuters, as the aviation sector shows signs of recovery and carriers face mounting cost pressures.

The fare restrictions were introduced in December after widespread flight cancellations by leading airline IndiGo led to a spike in ticket prices across the market. The government intervened to stabilise fares during a period of reduced capacity.

In its latest order, the civil aviation ministry said operating conditions have improved, pointing to restored flight capacity and a return to more stable operations. The directive, dated Friday and examined by Reuters on Saturday, has not been officially released. Officials from the ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Airlines had called for the removal of the caps, saying the controls were contributing to substantial revenue losses while operating expenses continued to rise. Higher jet fuel prices, partly driven by the conflict involving Iran, have added to the financial strain.

Although airlines have not disclosed specific loss figures, analysts at HSBC estimate that a $1 per barrel increase in fuel prices could raise IndiGo’s annual fuel costs by roughly 3 billion rupees.

Under the temporary rules, fares for flights up to 500 kilometres were capped at 7,500 rupees ($80.07), while routes between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometres—including New Delhi to Mumbai—had a maximum fare of 15,000 rupees.

Despite lifting the caps, the government has directed airlines to keep ticket prices fair and transparent, ensuring they reflect market conditions without harming passenger interests.

Source: Khaleej Times

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced plans to begin non-stop services between Singapore and Riyadh from June 2026, marking a significant step in its Middle East network expansion. The airline intends to operate the route four times a week using its Airbus A350-900 medium-haul aircraft.

The aircraft will be configured with 303 seats, including 40 in Business Class and 263 in Economy Class, offering passengers a two-cabin travel option.

Pending regulatory approval, flight SQ498 will depart Singapore at 18:20 local time on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, arriving in Riyadh at 21:45. The return service, SQ499, is scheduled to leave Riyadh at 23:00 on the same days, landing in Singapore at 12:15 the following day.

From 25 October 2026, minor schedule adjustments will take effect. Departures from Singapore will shift to 17:40, arriving in Riyadh at 21:35, while return flights will depart Riyadh at 22:50 and arrive in Singapore at 11:50 the next day.

Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Commercial Officer of Singapore Airlines, said the move reflects Riyadh’s growing economic significance. He noted that the Saudi capital’s rapid development and strong business environment position it as a key destination in the region. He added that the new route could also enhance collaboration with partner airlines, providing customers with broader travel options across the Middle East.

Riyadh will become the second Saudi destination served by the SIA Group, complementing Scoot’s existing four-times weekly flights to Jeddah.

As the capital and financial hub of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh offers a mix of cultural and modern attractions. Visitors can explore historic landmarks such as Diriyah and Masmak Fortress, alongside museums, high-end hotels, and diverse retail and dining experiences.

Ticket sales for the new service will be introduced gradually through Singapore Airlines’ distribution channels, subject to final approvals.

Philippine Airlines has suspended all flights between Manila and the Gulf hubs of Dubai and Doha until April 30, leaving thousands of overseas Filipinos and other travellers rushing to adjust their plans.

The flag carrier’s decision, driven by heightened security risks and airspace uncertainties in parts of the Middle East, extends an earlier series of short-term cancellations and effectively wipes out PAL’s Dubai (PR 658/659) and Doha (PR 684/685) services for the rest of April.

For affected passengers, PAL is offering a range of options. Travellers can rebook to a later date once services resume, with the airline waiving rebooking fees in line with its current advisories. Those who no longer wish to push through with their trip may opt to convert the value of their ticket into a travel credit for future use, or request a refund subject to the fare conditions.

Passengers are urged to first check if their flight falls within the suspension period using PAL’s online manage booking facility or by contacting the carrier’s customer service channels. From there, they can decide whether to secure the earliest possible rebooked flight after April 30, bank their ticket value for a later trip, or cancel altogether.

Travel agents and community groups in the Gulf are also advising Filipino workers and residents to consider alternative routings on other airlines while PAL’s Middle East operations are on hold, especially for those with urgent travel needs such as contract changes, medical emergencies or planned vacations.

With the situation in the region still fluid, Philippine Airlines has encouraged passengers to monitor its official advisories regularly, noting that any further extensions, resumptions, or special flights will be announced through its website and social media channels.

Saudia announced an increase of 20 flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah with the Red Sea destination during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. Carried out in coordination with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the Red Sea destination, the move raises the total number of round-trip services on these routes to 44.

The expanded schedule is part of a broader partnership between Saudia and the STA designed to promote Saudi tourist sites and support the tourism sector’s development. Officials said the collaboration focuses on offering travelers more convenient flight options and enhancing the onboard experience.

The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s wider tourism ambitions, which include a target to welcome 150 million visitors by 2030.