Leisure carrier Jet2 is today ranked as one of the most punctual airlines in the world.
The airline was awarded a 5-star rating by air travel intelligence company OAG with an on-time performance of 87.5% of flights running on time.
The ranking represents “excellent performance” over a rolling 12-month period.
Jet2 is one of just 14 global airlines to achieve a 5-star accreditation.
Now defunct Monarch Airlines was the next most punctual UK airline with a 4-star ranking – the only UK carrier to receive a 4-star rating.
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet, all received a 3-star rating with between 70% and 80% of flights departing and arriving on time, although BA and easyJet operated considerably more flights than Jet2 and Monarch.
Birmingham, Cardiff and Liverpool airports were all awarded five stars for on-time performance – Birmingham had 90% of flights running on time, and Cardiff 89%.
The worst performing UK airports were Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh.
OAG senior analyst John Grant said: “Jet2.com has shown to have a robust on-time performance during some of the busiest travelling months of the year, although there are clearly improvements that UK airlines can make to their punctuality performance over the next six months.
“With the aviation industry going through a turbulent time, there is a lot for the UK airports to be proud of in terms of the speed at which they’re able to get flights on and off the ground.
“The key for the next 12 months is consistency, as we’ll inevitably see the number of flights in and out of the UK increasing.”
Away from the UK, other European airlines and airports fared well.
Six of the EMEA-based carriers that were awarded five stars achieved 88% or better with their on-time performance, while nine out of the 14 global carriers given 5-star ratings all hailed from the region.
Twenty out of the 49 airports awarded 5-star ratings were from the EMEA region, equating to 41% of the total 5-star airports.