South African Airways (SAA) has claimed the top spot as Africa’s most punctual airline in 2025, leaving Kenya Airways (KQ) and Ethiopian Airlines (ET) behind. The ranking reflects how global parts shortages and extended aircraft maintenance have disrupted operations for several major African carriers.
Aviation data from Cirium shows SAA landed 81.26 percent of its 24,461 flights on schedule, even with a smaller fleet and fewer destinations compared to its East African rivals.
KQ had previously led the continent in 2023 and 2024, while ET dominated for five consecutive years before that. During their strong years, both airlines maintained on-time rates above 70 percent.
In 2025, KQ recorded about 76 percent punctuality, improving from 72 percent in 2024, but still falling behind leading airlines across Africa and the Middle East.
Ethiopian Airlines has experienced a steady decline since 2023. In 2022, it ranked first in Africa and sixth in the Middle East and Africa region, achieving 77 percent of flights on schedule.
By 2023, its punctuality fell below 70 percent, and the airline has struggled to regain its former status, despite remaining Africa’s largest carrier in fleet size and passenger numbers.
Experts link the delays at KQ and ET to a global shortage of aircraft parts. Extended maintenance cycles forced both airlines to ground planes for long periods.
In 2025, Kenya Airways had at least 11 aircraft grounded at different times, leading to disruptions and cancellations, while Ethiopian Airlines had eight planes out of service.
SAA avoided these setbacks, with none of its 20 aircraft grounded throughout the year, allowing it to maintain regular schedules and capitalize on its smaller, more manageable fleet.
Among low-cost carriers, South Africa’s Safair maintained the highest punctuality in both Africa and the Middle East, completing 91 percent of flights on time. The result demonstrates how simpler operations and faster turnarounds can improve reliability.
On-time performance is a critical factor in aviation, affecting both costs and passenger satisfaction. Airlines that fail to keep schedules risk financial penalties, regulatory scrutiny, and losing customer trust. As supply chains recover, African airlines are expected to prioritize fleet reliability and maintenance planning, making punctuality a key competitive advantage in the coming years.
