Virgin Australia Leads Major Airlines in On-Time Performance

Virgin Australia has once again demonstrated its commitment to excellence in aviation, leading the country’s major airlines in both on-time performance (OTP) and the completion of scheduled flights. According to January data released by the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE), the airline completed 99.2 per cent of scheduled domestic flights and achieved a departure OTP rate of 78 per cent, outpacing its competitors.

Outstanding Reliability and Performance

Virgin Australia’s completion rate significantly surpasses the long-term average for Australian domestic carriers of 97.8 per cent, and the airline is rapidly approaching the OTP long-term average of 80.7 per cent. Chief Operations Officer, Stuart Aggs, attributes this success to the dedication and hard work of the airline’s team, particularly during the busy holiday period.

“Reliability is incredibly important to our guests, especially when they are travelling to see family and friends,” said Mr Aggs. “We call it SPOT – safely performing on time – and it is a responsibility our team takes very seriously. It’s great to see their efforts paying off.”

Strategies for Success

In addition to improving on-time performance, Virgin Australia has maintained consistently high completion rates, with more than 99 per cent of scheduled domestic flights operating in December and January, despite the challenges posed by summer storms. The airline has implemented a range of measures, including additional aircraft on standby and more team members on reserve, to manage disruptions and minimise their impact on guests’ travel plans.

“Our strong performance has continued into February, with departure OTP around 80 per cent for the month to date,” Mr Aggs added. “This is great news for our corporate and SME customers who are travelling again following the summer break.”

Exceptional Holiday Travel Performance

The airline’s performance in December and January marked its best results in the past two years, with more than 3.8 million passengers flying with Virgin Australia during this period. This achievement underscores the airline’s dedication to providing a reliable and enjoyable travel experience for its guests.

Virgin Australia’s efforts to re-accommodate Rex customers free of charge following the airline’s suspension of jet operations in July 2024 have also contributed to this success. Over 135,000 Rex customers have been rebooked on Virgin Australia services, with more than 130,000 of them already having travelled.

As Virgin Australia continues to lead the way in on-time performance and flight completion, travellers can look forward to a consistently reliable and high-quality travel experience with the airline.