ACSA Data Reveals South Africa’s Most Punctual Airlines and Airports

South Africa’s major airports maintained consistent flight punctuality in September 2025, according to the latest data from the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). The national On-Time Performance (OTP) reached 87.23 percent for the month. This metric tracks flights that arrive or depart within 15 minutes of their scheduled times.

The September 2025 On-Time Performance figure, while stable, fell short of the country’s ambitious 95 percent national target. This indicates that while operations are steady, there is significant room for improvement across the airport network to enhance schedule adherence for passengers.

Key Airports Show Mixed Results

Performance varied significantly across the country’s major hubs. Cape Town International Airport narrowly exceeded its 90 percent target, achieving a 90.28 percent On-Time Performance. In contrast, O.R. Tambo International, the nation’s busiest airport, recorded 85.87 percent, just below its 87 percent goal.

Regional airports presented a mixed picture. Kimberley Airport was a standout, achieving a strong 90.69 percent On-Time Performance. However, other regional facilities like Bram Fischer International (83.90%) and George Airport (83.87%) fell notably short of their 95 percent targets, highlighting areas requiring operational attention.

As detailed in the complete version, there are several key factors to consider.

Airlines Lead in Punctuality

The data also highlighted the carriers driving this On-Time Performance. Domestic airlines FlySafair and Airlink were the clear leaders in punctuality for September 2025. FlySafair demonstrated exceptional reliability, posting figures above 90 percent at major airports including O.R. Tambo (90.31%), Cape Town (93.14%), and King Shaka International (91.97%).

Airlink followed with equally robust On-Time Performance, achieving 87.50 percent at O.R. Tambo, 92.16 percent at Cape Town, and an impressive 95.42 percent at King Shaka. South African Airways showed continued progress, maintaining On-Time Performance in the mid-80s, which reflects its ongoing post-pandemic recovery. The consistent On-Time Performance from these carriers is crucial for the overall health of South Africa’s air transport system.