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GLOBAL OTP SUMMARY – October 2024

Severe weather events impacted many regions highlighted by intense rainfall and flash floods that devastated parts of Spain, particularly Valencia, late last month. These conditions resulted in widespread damage, numerous casualties, and economic losses, while also disrupting airline and airport operations throughout the country.

However, global flight cancellations were down by 8% in October, with 43,484 flights cancelled compared to 47,324 in September. While Asia-Pacific region saw a 24% decrease in flight cancellations in October (21,349) compared to 28,027 in September, this was still the highest contribution to the overall global cancellations at 49%. Jet fuel shortage in Japan, which began early this year, worsened over the summer months and has impacted the operations of major carriers like JAL and ANA.

Aeromexico (AM) maintained its position as the global leader this month with an impressive OTP of 91.88%, a slight improvement from the previous month’s performance of 91.13%. The airline’s main hub, Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX), also retained its third-place position in the Global airports category with an OTP of 89.79%.

Delta Air Lines (DL) concluded the month as the runner-up in the Global airlines category with an OTP of 90.53%, an improvement of nearly 3 points from 87.81% in September. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Delta’s main hub, delivered an OTP of 87.98%. Similarly, this was an increase of more than 3 points from last month’s OTP of 84.40%.

Saudia (SV) took the third-place position in the Global airline category with an OTP of 89.69%, a slight improvement from 89.40% in September. King Khalid International Airport (RUH), a main hub for Saudia, concluded the month in second-place under both the Global and Large airport categories. King Khalid turned in a notable OTP of 90.02%, which was also a slight increase from 89.86% in September.

United Airlines (UA) returned to the top 5 Global airline ranking this month since its last appearance in February. The Chicago-based airline took the fourth-place position with an OTP of 88.13%, an improvement of nearly 2 points over September’s OTP of 86.47%. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), the main hub for United, ended the month with an OTP of 86.34%, also a near 2-point increase over the previous month’s OTP.

Hainan Airlines (HU) ended the month in fifth-place with an OTP of 87.14%, a remarkable increase of nearly 13 points from 74.21% in September. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), a hub for Hainan Airlines, concluded the month with a notable OTP of 92.79%. This was an improvement of 6 points from September’s performance of 86.37%.

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Regional Highlights

Asia Pacific

The region saw a 24% decrease in flight cancellations in October, with 21,349 flights canceled compared to 28,027 in September.

Hainan Airlines (HU), a new name in the regional ranking, is this month’s leader with an OTP of 87.14%, an increase of nearly 13 points from 74.21% in September. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), one of the main hubs for Hainan Airlines, ended the month with an OTP of 92.79%. Similarly, this was an improvement of 6 points compared to September’s performance of 86.37%.

North America

North America witnessed a 35% increase in flight cancellations last month due to hurricane Milton, with 8,113 flights cancelled, compared to 6,001 in September. However, this only accounted for 19% (8,113) of the total global cancellations in October.

Delta Air Lines (DL) returned as the regional leader with an OTP of 87.81%, an increase of more than 6 points compared to 80.90% in August.

Europe

Flight cancellation across Europe decreased by 8% in October, with 7,121 canceled flights compared to 7,731 in September. Europe contributed 16% to the overall global flight cancellations last month.

SAS (SK) was the regional leader in October with an OTP of 86.64%, an improvement of 4 points over September’s OTP of 82.45%. Copenhagen Airport (CPH), one of the major hubs for SAS, concluded the month with an OTP of 84.46%, a near 6-point increase from the previous month’s performance of 78.84%.

Latin America

Latin America region witnessed a 14% increase in flight cancellations in October, with 3,887 flights canceled compared to 3,424 in September. Latin America represented 9% of the global flight cancellations in October.

Aeromexico (AM) Aeromexico (AM) maintained its position as the regional leader with an OTP of 91.88%, a slight improvement from the previous month’s OTP of 91.13%. The airline’s main hub, Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX), also retained the third-place position in Global airports category with an OTP of 89.79% as compared to 88.49% in September.

Middle East & Africa

The number of flight cancellations in the Middle East & Africa region increased by 41%, with 3,014 cancelled, compared to 2,141 in September. The region accounted for 7% of the total global flight cancellations for October.

Safair (FA) was the regional leader for Middle East & Africa in October with an OTP of 92.47%. O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), a hub for Safair, ended the month with an OTP of 88.76%. This was an increase of nearly 2 points over 86.98% in September.

Low-Cost Carriers

Flyadeal (F3), led the category with an OTP of 90.76%, a decrease of more than 3 points from September’s performance of 93.86%. Peach Aviation (MM) took the second-place position with an OTP of 88.14%, an increase of more than 2 points from 86.12% in September.

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