SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 12th March (EUROPA PRESS) –
Today, Tuesday, Iberia Express was honoured by the global aviation analysis consultancy Cirium, receiving the award for being the most punctual airline in Europe for the year 2023.
The award ceremony, held at Tenerife North-City of La Laguna Airport, was graced by the presence of Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, Director General of Tourism Planning, Training, and Promotion of the Government of the Canary Islands; Francisco Javier Osmán, Director of Tenerife North Airport; Mike Malik, Marketing Director of CIRIUM; and Carlos Gómez, CEO of Iberia Express.
Iberia Express, with an on-time arrival rate of 84.58% last year, also secured the fifth position as the most punctual low-cost airline globally as per Cirium’s On-time Performance Report, the industry’s leading annual punctuality review. Moreover, the airline operated nearly 16,000 flights in the Canary Islands in 2023, achieving a departure punctuality rate of 88.83%.
“At Iberia Express, we are dedicated to upholding high standards of operational efficiency and excellence, aiming to provide our customers with the best possible experience on each flight. This achievement fills us with pride, underscoring the commitment and dedication of the entire Iberia Express team,” emphasized Carlos Gómez at the event.
In celebration of this accolade, an Iberia Express aircraft has been vinyl-wrapped with the Cirium punctuality seal, which will be displayed throughout 2024. The selected aircraft, showcased during the event, will also bear the designation “Canary Islands” as a tribute to this key market that has been integral to the company since its inception.
Carlos Gómez, in particular, highlighted the Canary Islands’ significant role for the airline, currently standing as its most prominent market: “In 2023, we surpassed 2.8 million passengers to the archipelago for the first time, approaching the milestone of 20 million customers over the 12 years we have been operating in the region. The Canary Islands make up around 40% of our total production, making us immensely proud to be here to receive and celebrate this highly prestigious award.”
During the event, Iberia was also recognised as the second most punctual airline in Europe and the fifth globally, achieving an 84.38% on-time performance out of a total of 170,750 flights operated.
“For Iberia, it is an immense honour to consistently rank among the world’s most punctual airlines. This award not only acknowledges our efforts but also motivates us to continue refining the intricate mechanisms that ensure timely departures and arrivals. It is a process involving hundreds of individuals perfectly synchronised to address any unforeseen incidents, be they technical, meteorological, or related to events at the origin or destination airports, among others,” stated Gonzalo Salinas, Director of Iberia’s Operations Control Centre, during the award presentation.
IBERIA EXPRESS RENEWS ITS DEDICATION TO THE CANARY ISLANDS
In 2023, Iberia Express expanded its services to the Canary Islands by nearly 12% compared to the previous year, operating a total of 16,000 flights to Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and La Palma. Additionally, the airline bolstered its offerings in the archipelago during peak demand periods such as Carnival, Easter, and Christmas, encouraging tourist arrivals to the islands while simultaneously facilitating travel for residents.
For the upcoming summer season in 2024, commencing in April through to the end of October, Iberia Express is set to increase its operations to all the islands to over 2 million seats, with Tenerife alone exceeding 800,000 seats during these months.
The airline also provides connecting flights to more than 100 international destinations within the Iberia Group. Specifically in 2023, over 22% of Iberia Express customers travelling to the Canary Islands were connecting to diverse cities across Europe, Latin America, and the US.
