Each year, the report published by Cirium provides an accurate snapshot of global air transport reliability through an analysis of industry performance. The 2025 edition confirms a clear shift: Latin America is no longer merely a developing aviation market, but a region capable of competing with the highest operational standards, both in terms of airlines and airports.
Aeroméxico, consistency as a global signature
In the category of major international airlines, Aeroméxico retains the world’s top position for the second consecutive year. More than 90% of its flights operated on time in 2025, a level of consistency that reflects a robust organization managing a complex network linking Latin America, North America, Europe, and Asia. This reliability is far from incidental: it demonstrates the airline’s ability to handle air traffic disruptions without triggering cascading delays for passengers.
Copa Airlines, exceptional regional consistency
At the Latin American level, the most striking performance remains that of Copa Airlines. With a punctuality index above 90.7%, the Panamanian carrier tops the regional ranking for the eleventh time since the creation of the Cirium index. This consistency is largely driven by the efficiency of its Panama hub, which has gradually become a central connection point between the Americas and the Caribbean, while maintaining highly disciplined operational rotations.
Latin American airline groups gaining global visibility
The 2025 report also highlights the progress of other major players from the region. Azul Airlines ranks among the world’s leading airlines for punctuality, while LATAM Airlines and Avianca both enter the global top 10. These results reflect ongoing improvements in the reliability of regional and long-haul networks, at a time when punctuality directly shapes the travel experience, whether for business or leisure.
Latin American airports at the forefront
In the large airport category, Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez Airport stands out as the most punctual airport in the world. This performance reinforces Santiago’s role as a key hub in the Southern Cone. Behind it, Mexico City International Airport (Benito Juárez) reaches third place globally, while Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport ranks sixth. Three major Latin American airports thus appear in the global top 10 of their category—a strong signal in a segment typically dominated by major North American, European, or Asian hubs.
A similar trend is observed among medium-sized airports. Tocumen International Airport in Panama City tops the global ranking, confirming the operational strength of the Panamanian hub as a true continental crossroads. It is followed by a series of Brazilian airports, with Brasília in second place, Rio de Janeiro–Galeão sixth, São Paulo–Viracopos (Campinas) eighth, and Belo Horizonte–Tancredo Neves also entering the top 10. This concentration illustrates Brazil’s ability to maintain high punctuality levels across multiple platforms, despite the scale of its domestic market.
In the small airport category, Latin American dominance is even more pronounced. José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil retains the world’s top position for the second consecutive year. It is followed by El Salvador International Airport Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez in second place, and Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro in third. Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito) also ranks within the top 5, while Salvador International Airport (Brazil) completes this leading group.
Taken together, these results show that airport punctuality in Latin America is no longer an exception. It is now part of a sustainable performance dynamic, based on better-coordinated infrastructure, more controlled operational processes, and increasing integration with international air transport standards.
Beyond the statistics, this ranking reveals a broader reality. In an industry facing congestion at certain hubs, airspace constraints, and cost pressures, punctuality has become an indicator of maturity rather than a simple communication argument. For travelers and tourism professionals alike, these performances strengthen route reliability and connection clarity. Above all, they highlight Latin America’s growing ability to position itself sustainably among the world’s most efficient air transport regions.
Photos: Cirium
