FlySafair named most on-time airline in MEA 2025!

Aviation analytics firm Cirium has announced the results of its annual On-Time Performance Review, and South Africa’s low-cost carrier FlySafair has emerged as the most punctual airline in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region for 2025.

Based on Cirium’s extensive and independently verified data - sourced from more than 600 real-time global information feeds - FlySafair achieved an impressive 91.06% on-time arrival rate across 62,805 scheduled flights during 2025. This performance secured the airline the top position in the regional rankings, reinforcing its reputation for operational reliability and efficiency.

Another strong South African performer, Airlink, ranked fifth in the MEA region. The privately owned regional airline recorded an 84.47% on-time departure rate across 84,361 flights in 2025, underlining its consistency across an extensive domestic and regional network.

South African Airways (SAA), South Africa’s state-owned flag carrier, was placed eighth in the regional rankings. SAA achieved an on-time performance score of 81.26%, based on 24,461 flights operated during the year—marking continued operational stabilisation following its post-business-rescue recovery.

Cirium defines an on-time arrival as a flight reaching the gate within 14 minutes and 59 seconds of its scheduled arrival time. Airport punctuality is measured using the same 14:59-minute threshold for scheduled departures.

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South Africa: FlySafair named most punctual airline in the Middle East & Africa 2019!

South African low-cost airline FlySafair has been named the top performing airline for on-time performance (OTP) in the Middle East and Africa by global travel data provider OAG. The airline's overall on-time performance across its route network in 2019 was 94.40%. The big three Middle East airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Emirates, take the second, third and fifth top spots among Middle East and African carriers for OTP.
FlySafair currently operates domestic services to seven destinations in South Africa, namely Cape Town, Durban, East London, George, Johannesburg (OR Tambo & Lanseria) as well as Port Elizabeth.

On-time performance (OTP) is measured by comparing the actual off-block time (when aircraft pushes back) against the airline schedule time for a departing flight. The measurement is done in accordance with the IATA (International Airlines Transport Association) universal standard benchmark with considers a 15 minute deviation from the scheduled time as an on-time departure.

OAG's punctuality report 2020, named Punctuality League 2020, is based on 57.7 million flight records using full-year data from 2019 to create a ranking of the best on-time performance (OTP) for the world’s largest airlines and airports.

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South African Airways wins (continental) On-time Performance Service Award

Flightstats, a leading provider of international flight and airport information, has named the winners of the FlightStats 2012 On-time Performance Service Awards (OPS Awards). The OPS Awards program recognises airlines around the world that achieve sustained operational excellence by delivering the highest percentage of flights to their arrival gates within 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time.
South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways (SAA), won Flightstats' On-time Performance Service Award in the Middle East & Africa Major Airlines category with an on-time performance of 91,17%. Congratulations! Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines were the other four finalists in the category. The Middle East & Africa Major Airlines category includes airlines based in the Middle East & Africa that are operating at least 30,000 scheduled flights annually within the Middle East and Africa. The flight status coverage threshold was set at 80%.
The most punctual Major International Airlines in 2012 was Japan Airlines, followed by All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). The Major International Airlines category includes airlines that fly a significant number of trans-oceanic or international flights.

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Etihad Airways named Middle East's leading airline

The national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways, was named the Middle East’s Leading Airline for the sixth year in a row at the prestigious World Travel Awards Middle East. The airline was also named the Middle East’s Leading Airline First Class, Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment and Leading Cabin Staff.
The World Travel Awards (WTA), once described by the Wall Street Journal as the "travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscars", are voted for by passengers and travel agents from 160 countries.
Etihad Airways only began operations nine years ago, and in 2011 carried 8.3 million passengers. From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Airways offers flights to 84 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. The airline currently operates a fleet of 66 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Kumuka's Valentine's Day offer: Book one tour & your partner will get 50% OFF

Here is a travel deal from Kumuka that you'll fall in love with. 

update - OFFER EXTENDED - NOW ENDS 17 FEB 2012

Book one (!) Kumuka tour and your partner will get 50% OFF! That's 50% OFF for your partner on tours to Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America & The Middle East. Click here to check out and book Kumuka's tours worldwide!

Offer ends: 15 February 2012
Travel dates: Valid for travel between 14 Feb 2012 and 31 Dec 2014

Terms and conditions apply
1. To receive this offer full payment must be made at the time of booking. 2. Offer can be withdrawn at any time at the discretion of Kumuka Worldwide. Book now to avoid disappointment. 3. Some tours are excluded from offer, see: www.kumuka.com/offers for full details. 4. Offer applies to new bookings only. 5. Offer excludes tours booked using Kumuka Payment Plan. 6. Offer cannot be combined with any other offers. 7. Valid for travel between 14 Feb 2012 and 31 December 2014. 8. This discount (Book 1 and your partner gets 50% off) does not apply in the following markets: Australia and New Zealand.

Etihad Airways now offering inflight connectivity for passengers

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, introduced inflight passenger connectivity services, meaning that during flights guests of the airline will have full mobile connectivity, enabling them to use their own mobile phones and Smartphones to make and receive phone-calls, send and receive text messages and emails, and access mobile data services.
The airline has currently three Airbus A330-300 and one Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with the service. The A320 is used primarily for short-haul routes throughout the Middle East, and some mid-length routes such as Istanbul, Athens, Minsk, Cochin, Bangalore and Mahé in the Seychelles and the A330-300 will be used on long-haul flights to Frankfurt, London, Paris, Geneva, Casablanca and Seoul.
During the launch phase, Etihad Airways will offer inflight mobile and tablet connectivity from USD 10 and laptop Wi-Fi internet connectivity from USD 20. Mobile telephone calls will be charged according to the international roaming rates of guests’ mobile network provider.
Etihad Airways serves 82 cities in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, with a fleet of 64 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and 100 aircraft on order, including 10 Airbus A380s, the world’s largest passenger aircraft.

Kumuka's Tri Nations Sale: save up to 30% (ends 28 Aug 11)

Whilst the Kiwi's may be regular winners, it's been quite a while since Australia have had the chance of winning the Tri Nations trophy.
To celebrate this long awaited showdown between the top 2 teams in the world, Kumuka are offering all Aussies and Kiwis up to 30% OFF Kumuka tours - so in the end we all win!!
That's 30% OFF for this weekend only and may the best team win!!

How to claim your Tri Nations discount:

• Use the promotional code BIGSAVE11 when booking
• Book on or before 28st August 2011
• Take advantage of the strong Aussie and Kiwi dollars and when you select your currency - pay for your tour in $USD, £GBP or €Euro and SAVE!

Terms and conditions apply
1. The following regions and products are excluded from the sale North America and Specialist tours. 2. The sale ends 28th Aug 2011 3. The sale applies for tours departing from 01 November 2011 to December 2012. 4. To qualify for a Discount full payment must be made at the time of booking. 5. Offers apply to New Bookings only. 6. All bookings must be made online using Kumuka Agent interface. 7. Offers apply to bookings made in GBP, USD and EURO only. 8. Offer apply to prices displayed on the Kumuka website or in 2011-2012 brochure only. 9. Some tours are excluded. Check the individual tour page on www.kumuka.com or contact Kumuka for further details.

Overland Tours in Eastern & Southern Africa  >>

Kumuka: 30% off Sale - ends 21 Aug 2011

This is your chance to make huge savings on your next tour with Kumuka Worldwide. Simply book and pay for your tour in US Dollars, Euro or Pounds before Sunday 21st August 2011 and you will SAVE up to 30%* on a huge range of Kumuka Tours.
How to claim your discount:

• Use the promotional code BIGSAVE11 when booking
• Book on or before 21st August 2011
• Select your currency - Pay for your tour in $ USD, £ GBP or € Euro and SAVE!

*Terms and conditions apply
• The following regions and products are excluded from the sale. Family Tours, Africa lodge Based tours, North America and Specialist tours.
• The sale ends 21st Aug 2011
• The sale applies for tours departing from 01 November 2011 to December 2012.
• To qualify for a Discount full payment must be made at the time of booking.
• Offers apply to New Bookings only.
• All bookings must be made online using Kumuka Agent interface.
• Offers apply to bookings made in GBP, USD and EURO only.
• Offer apply to prices displayed on the Kumuka website or in 2011-2012 brochure only.
• Some tours are excluded. Check the individual tour page on www.kumuka.com.

Johannesburg is the third-most visited city in Africa & the Middle East

According to this year's MasterCard Index of Global Destination Cities, Johannesburg in South Africa is the third-most visited destination city in the Middle East and Africa. Only Dubai in the UAE and Cairo in Egypt are attracting more visitors. Johannesburg is furthermore the most visited city in sub-Saharan Africa. Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, ranked seventh in the regional ranking and is therefore the second-most visited city in sub-Saharan Africa.
In terms of visitor expenditure, Johannesburg ranked fifth, out of ten, in the region with $3,3bn expected to be spent by inbound passengers this year. Nairobi follows on rank eight with $1.3bn to be spent.

The MasterCard Index of Global Destination Cities is an annual research program that describes and analyzes the global network of 132 destination cities and how they are connected through cross-border air travel and associated expenditures.

GAP Adventures: Last Minute Departures

Good things come to those who wait! And up to 25% off is a very good thing!
Are you travelling in the next 2 months and haven't yet booked?
G.A.P Adventures - The Great Adventure People have a selection of trips currently offered at up to 25%. Please note these trips can change day to day without notice, so don't delay!

Africa - flights to Africa >>

Ethiopia Discovery
11 Days departure(s) on 25 July, 2009 - 25% off

Asia- flights to Asia >>

Hanoi to Hong Kong
15 Days departure(s) on 26 July, 2009 - 20% off

Central America - flights to Central America >>

Guatemala Encompassed
16 Days departure(s) on 17 July, 2009 - 25% off

The Wilds of Costa Rica and Panama
14 Days departure(s) on 19 July, 2009 - 20% off

Volcano Trail
17 Days departure(s) on 16 August, 2009 - 15% off

Europe - flights to Europe >>

The Best of Tuscany
10 Days departure(s) on 11 July, 2009 - 20% 0ff

Greek Islands Sailing Adventure (Santorini to Mykonos)
8 Days departure(s) on 02 August, 2009 - 15% off

Central Russia Explorer
14 Days departure(s) on 02 August, 2009 - 25% off

Turkey Family Adventure
8 Days departure(s) on 09 August, 2009 - 20% off

North Africa/Middle East - flights to North Africa/Middle East>>

Egypt & Jordan Adventure
17 Days departure(s) on 23 July, 2009 - 20% off

Egypt Family Adventure
13 Days departure(s) on 17 August, 2009 - 15% off

South America- flights to South America>>

Andean Discovery
21 Days departure(s) on 18 July, 2009 - 15% off

North Argentina Highlights
15 Days departure(s) on 18 July, 2009 - 20% off

Peru Explorer
10 Days departure(s) on 18 July, 2009 - 20% off

Inca Heartland & Amazon
21 Days departure(s) on 31 July, 2009 - 20% off

The Inca Trail
7 Days departure(s) on 30 July, 2009 - 20% 0ff

Amazon Explorer
10 Days departure(s) on 07 August, 2009 - 20% off

Quest Of The Gods
14 Days departure(s) on 31 July, 2009 - 25% off

Inca Discovery - Lares
8 Days departure(s) on 31 July, 2009 - 15% off

Land Galapagos - Multi-Activities
10 Days departure(s) on 08 August, 2009 - 20% off

Absolute Peru
21 Days departure(s) on 19 August, 2009 - 20% off

Inca Empire
15 Days departure(s) on 22 August, 2009 - 20% off

Peru Hike, Bike & Raft
16 Days departure(s) on 22 August, 2009 - 20% off

Project Machu Picchu
13 Days departure(s) on 16 August, 2009 - 15% off