For the third consecutive month and despite the operational difficulties at many of the European airports where Iberia flies, the Spanish airline once again topped the punctuality podium among European airlines in August, as confirmed by the international consultancy firm Cirium -formerly FlightStats-.
In August, 84.5% of the 14,240 flights operated by Iberia arrived at their destination on time, making it the most punctual among European airlines.
This result reflects the commitment and effort made by Iberia’s teams to face a particularly challenging summer, the result of the situation at some European airports, which experienced operational issues and were forced to reduce and cancel flights.
The Cirium ranking also places Iberia as the fifth most punctual network airline in the world in August, the same as in June. In July, Iberia was the seventh most punctual airline in the world.
Over 32 million Customers Served at Spanish Airports
For Iberia's Airports division, this has been a good summer, with very positive activity figures at Spanish airports, although still somewhat lower than those recorded in 2019, pre-pandemic.
In June, July, August and September, Iberia Airport Services served 32.2 million passengers, 64% more than in 2021, although less than in 2019 (-9.6%); it operated close to 110,000 flights, 33% more than in 2021, but still 10.8% less than in 2019; and handled more than 19 million suitcases -62% more than in 2021, and 8.2% less than in 2019-.
Children have been the stars of the holidays, also in Spanish airports. Iberia's Airports division has cared for more than 28,500 unaccompanied minors, 40% more than in 2021 (-20% less than in 2019), with the weekend of 16-17 July being the busiest, with more than 1,100 children cared for.
Almost all Spanish airports have increased their activity compared to last year, and some, such as Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Gran Canaria, Tenerife Norte, Santiago, Vigo, Asturias, and San Sebastián have increased their activity compared to 2019.
"Before the start of the summer campaign, we prepared ourselves, and from June onwards we oversized our workforce to be able to handle the possible increase in activity, which stood at more than 60% compared to last year," said José Luis de Luna, Iberia’s Head of Airport Services.
“At Iberia Airport Services, we are very pleased with these figures and with our contribution to making airlines like Iberia and Vueling some of the most punctual in Europe this summer. We face the winter season with more than 1,700 staff going from temporary to permanent discontinuous contracts. These workers have been trained and prepared to continue to offer the best service to our client airlines,” explained de Luna.
