Air India has become the only Indian airline to feature in the global top five for punctuality after securing the fourth position in Cirium's June 2026 On-Time Performance Report. The airline registered an on-time arrival rate of 86.85 per cent across 15,135 flights tracked during the month and an on-time departure rate of 86.23 per cent, while its completion factor stood at 99.7 per cent. The placement marks a notable improvement in schedule reliability for the carrier amid persistent airport congestion and other operational challenges. Cirium placed Saudia at the top with an on-time arrival rate of 92.38 per cent across 13,350 flights, followed by Korean Air at 88.56 per cent over 10,722 flights and Aeromexico at 86.94 per cent with 14,793 flights. Air India sat narrowly behind Aeromexico and ahead of Singapore Airlines, which recorded 86.74 per cent across 10,418 flights. Completion factors for the leading carriers remained high, reflecting that scheduled services were largely completed across networks. The airline attributed the result to a series of operational changes and investments aimed at strengthening schedule reliability and execution across domestic and international operations. These measures included targeted efforts to improve departure punctuality and to streamline aircraft turnaround processes, together with enhanced real-time network monitoring and faster operational decision-making. Network planning enhancements and sustained investments in operational resilience were cited as contributors to more consistent performance. Air India also said it has strengthened contingency planning and cross-functional coordination to better manage disruptions arising from adverse weather, airspace restrictions, airport congestion and technical issues, and that these steps have helped to minimise the impact of such events. The high completion factor and improved punctuality reduce passenger disruption and improve connections, enhancing reliability for travellers. The airline indicated it will continue to prioritise operational resilience to sustain performance gains and to deliver a more consistent travel experience.