Despite a strong improvement in on-time performance from Virgin Australia, Qantas and Regional Express (Rex) have maintained their position as the nation’s most punctual airlines.
Figures from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) showed Rex led all Australian airlines for on-time departures in September, with 90.4 per cent of its flights pushing back from the gate within 15 minutes of schedule.
Qantas was the best of Australia’s major carriers – a position it has maintained for more than a year – with 89.5 per cent of the Flying Kangaroo’s services departing on time.
The big mover was Virgin, whose on-time departures improved from 80.4 per cent in August to 87.1 per cent in September.
Moreover, Virgin pipped Qantas for punctuality on one of Australia’s “golden triangle” routes between Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
On Brisbane-Sydney, Virgin (89.6 per cent and 89 per cent on the return) outperformed Qantas (89.1 per cent and 87.1 per cent) for on-time departures.
In terms of Australia’s two low-cost carriers, Jetstar, with 85 per cent on-time departures, continued to hold a big lead over Tigerair at 75.8 per cent.
On-time departures for September (per cent)
Rex 90.4
Virgin Australia Regional 89.7
Qantas 89.5
QantasLink 88.6
Virgin 87.1
Jetstar 85
Tigerair 75.8
On-time arrivals for September (per cent)
Qantas 88.9
Virgin Australia Regional 88.2
Rex 88
Virgin 86.9
QantasLink 86.5
Jetstar 85.3
Tigerair 73.2
(Source: BITRE)
