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VARIFLIGHT MONTHLY AIRLINE REPORT

Global & China airline on-time performance
Arrival OTP and flight volume data · August 2026

By VariFlight Data Research Team · Data period 2026-08-01 to 2026-08-31 · Published · Updated

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Global average arrival OTP
87.05%

▼ −1% YoY 3.27m arrivals worldwide (+0.03%)

Chinese airlines average arrival OTP 90.83% ▲ +2.77% YoY

  • Most punctual of global top 20Hainan Airlines · HU95.86%
  • Most arrivals worldwideAmerican Airlines · AA195,235 flights
  • Most punctual smaller China airlineUrumqi Air · UQ97.12%
  • Chinese airlines' passenger flightsYoY +2.51%518,800

How did airline on-time performance and flight volumes look in August 2026?

In August 2026, airlines worldwide operated 3.27m actual arrivals, up 0.03% year on year, and the global average arrival on-time performance (OTP) was 87.05%, down 1% year on year. Chinese airlines operated 518,800 passenger flights, up 2.51%, with an average arrival OTP of 90.83%, up 2.77% and 3.78 percentage points above the global average.

Key findings

  1. In August 2026, airlines worldwide operated 3.27 million actual arrivals, up 0.03% year on year, with a global average arrival on-time performance (OTP) of 87.05%, down 1% year on year (VariFlight data).
  2. In August 2026, Chinese airlines operated 518,800 passenger flights, up 2.51% year on year, with an average arrival OTP of 90.83%, up 2.77%.
  3. Among the world's 20 airlines with the most arrivals in August 2026, Hainan Airlines (HU) ranked first for arrival OTP at 95.86%, followed by IndiGo (6E) at 95.52% and Turkish Airlines (TK) at 94.64%.
  4. Among the world's 20 largest airlines by arrivals in August 2026, Air China ranked 6th (91.88%), China Southern Airlines 8th (90.93%), China Eastern Airlines 9th (88.34%) and Shenzhen Airlines 13th (85.79%).
  5. American Airlines (AA) was the world's busiest airline by arrivals in August 2026 with 195,235 flights; among Chinese airlines, China Southern ranked 6th, China Eastern 7th, Air China 9th, Hainan Airlines 18th and Shenzhen Airlines 20th.
  6. Hainan Airlines was again China's most punctual major passenger airline in August 2026, with 95.86% arrival OTP, ahead of China Express Airlines (93.88%) and Tianjin Airlines (93.84%).
  7. By arrivals, China's three largest major airlines in August 2026 were China Southern (80,847), China Eastern (79,801) and Air China (58,279); Shenzhen Airlines grew fastest, up 8.64% year on year.
  8. Among China's smaller passenger airlines in August 2026, Urumqi Air ranked first with 97.12% arrival OTP, followed by Lucky Air (97.00%) and Genghis Khan Airlines (96.79%).
  9. Among China's smaller passenger airlines in August 2026, Loong Air, Beijing Capital Airlines and Shanghai Airlines had the most arrivals, while Chongqing Airlines (+63.33%), Suparna Airlines (+24.70%) and Air Changan (+24.46%) grew fastest.

Which airline was the most punctual in the world in August 2026?

In August 2026, Hainan Airlines (HU) ranked first for arrival OTP among the world's 20 airlines with the most arrivals, at 95.86%, followed by IndiGo (6E, 95.52%) and Turkish Airlines (TK, 94.64%).

Other Chinese airlines in the ranking: Air China 6th (91.88%), China Southern Airlines 8th (90.93%), China Eastern Airlines 9th (88.34%) and Shenzhen Airlines 13th (85.79%).

Arrival OTP · World's 20 largest airlines

Arrival OTP ranking of the world's largest airlines, August 2026

Other countriesChinese airlinesGlobal average 87.05%

  1. 1Hainan HU95.86%
  2. 2IndiGo 6E95.52%
  3. 3Turkish TK94.64%
  4. 4Japan JL92.90%
  5. 5Lufthansa LH92.23%
  6. 6Air China CA91.88%
  7. 7All Nippon NH91.13%
  8. 8China Southern CZ90.93%
  9. 9China Eastern MU88.34%
  10. 10Delta DL87.81%
  11. 11Alaska AS87.64%
  12. 12British BA86.73%
  13. 13Shenzhen ZH85.79%
  14. 14United UA84.28%
  15. 15American AA83.85%
  16. 16Southwest WN83.48%
  17. 17Air Canada AC82.98%
  18. 18Ryanair FR81.96%
  19. 19easyJet U278.21%
  20. 20JetBlue B676.26%
Global avg 87.05%

Source: VariFlight · August 2026 · Top 20 airlines by arrivals this month, ranked by arrival OTP

Table 1. Arrival OTP ranking of the world's 20 largest airlines, August 2026
RankAirlineCodeCountryArrivalsArrivals YoYArrival OTPOTP YoY
1Hainan AirlinesHUChina26,086−0.75%95.86%+1.29%
2IndiGo6EIndia60,294−3.85%95.52%+0.42%
3Turkish AirlinesTKTürkiye39,506+2.28%94.64%+0.40%
4Japan AirlinesJLJapan26,882−0.60%92.90%+0.81%
5LufthansaLHGermany31,171−13.60%92.23%+0.04%
6Air ChinaCAChina58,279+7.07%91.88%+0.61%
7All Nippon AirwaysNHJapan25,764−6.45%91.13%−0.94%
8China Southern AirlinesCZChina80,847+0.94%90.93%+5.58%
9China Eastern AirlinesMUChina79,801−0.75%88.34%+1.41%
10Delta Air LinesDLUS158,315+4.15%87.81%−3.52%
11Alaska AirlinesASUS48,972+19.03%87.64%−2.73%
12British AirwaysBAUK26,883−1.59%86.73%−3.43%
13Shenzhen AirlinesZHChina25,265+8.64%85.79%+9.94%
14United AirlinesUAUS156,651+2.86%84.28%−3.76%
15American AirlinesAAUS195,235+2.03%83.85%−2.24%
16Southwest AirlinesWNUS117,520+0.94%83.48%−6.30%
17Air CanadaACCanada34,934+8.97%82.98%−4.12%
18RyanairFRIreland115,869+5.64%81.96%−3.14%
19easyJetU2UK57,805−0.15%78.21%−6.87%
20JetBlueB6US29,807+2.61%76.26%−10.63%

Which airline operated the most flights in August 2026?

In August 2026, American Airlines (AA) operated 195,235 arrivals, the most of any airline, followed by Delta Air Lines (158,315) and United Airlines (156,651). Among Chinese airlines, China Southern Airlines 6th, China Eastern Airlines 7th, Air China 9th, Hainan Airlines 18th and Shenzhen Airlines 20th.

Arrivals × OTP

World's largest airlines: arrivals vs on-time performance, August 2026

Other countriesChinese airlinesGlobal average OTP

75%80%85%90%95%100%0k50k100k150k200kGlobal avg 87.05%Hainan Airlines: 26,086 arrivals, 95.86% OTPHUIndiGo: 60,294 arrivals, 95.52% OTP6ETurkish Airlines: 39,506 arrivals, 94.64% OTPTKJapan Airlines: 26,882 arrivals, 92.90% OTPJLLufthansa: 31,171 arrivals, 92.23% OTPLHAir China: 58,279 arrivals, 91.88% OTPCAAll Nippon Airways: 25,764 arrivals, 91.13% OTPNHChina Southern Airlines: 80,847 arrivals, 90.93% OTPCZChina Eastern Airlines: 79,801 arrivals, 88.34% OTPMUDelta Air Lines: 158,315 arrivals, 87.81% OTPDLAlaska Airlines: 48,972 arrivals, 87.64% OTPASBritish Airways: 26,883 arrivals, 86.73% OTPBAShenzhen Airlines: 25,265 arrivals, 85.79% OTPZHUnited Airlines: 156,651 arrivals, 84.28% OTPUAAmerican Airlines: 195,235 arrivals, 83.85% OTPAASouthwest Airlines: 117,520 arrivals, 83.48% OTPWNAir Canada: 34,934 arrivals, 82.98% OTPACRyanair: 115,869 arrivals, 81.96% OTPFReasyJet: 57,805 arrivals, 78.21% OTPU2JetBlue: 29,807 arrivals, 76.26% OTPB6Arrivals (flights)Arrival OTP

Source: VariFlight · August 2026 · Hover over a point for details

  1. NO. 1AAAmerican Airlines195,235 flights
  2. NO. 2DLDelta Air Lines158,315 flights
  3. NO. 3UAUnited Airlines156,651 flights
  4. NO. 4WNSouthwest Airlines117,520 flights
  5. NO. 5FRRyanair115,869 flights

Which Chinese airline was the most punctual in August 2026?

In August 2026, Hainan Airlines was China's most punctual major passenger airline, with 95.86% arrival OTP, followed by China Express Airlines (93.88%) and Tianjin Airlines (93.84%).

By arrivals, the three largest were China Southern Airlines (80,847), China Eastern Airlines (79,801) and Air China (58,279). Compared with August 2025, 7 airlines grew – Shenzhen Airlines, Air China, Sichuan Airlines, China Express Airlines, Spring Airlines, Juneyao Air and China Southern Airlines – with Shenzhen Airlines growing fastest (+8.64%).

Arrival OTP · Major Chinese passenger airlines

Arrival OTP ranking of major Chinese airlines, August 2026

  1. 1Hainan HU95.86%
  2. 2China Express G593.88%
  3. 3Tianjin GS93.84%
  4. 4Chengdu EU93.54%
  5. 5Shandong SC92.69%
  6. 6Air China CA91.88%
  7. 7Spring 9C91.17%
  8. 8China Southern CZ90.93%
  9. 9Sichuan 3U90.03%
  10. 10Juneyao Air HO89.52%
  11. 11Xiamen MF88.43%
  12. 12China Eastern MU88.34%
  13. 13Shenzhen ZH85.79%
China avg 90.83%

Source: VariFlight · August 2026 · Major airlines: at least 2% of all Chinese passenger flight segments in 2025

Table 2. Arrival OTP ranking of major Chinese passenger airlines, August 2026
RankAirlineCodeArrivalsArrivals YoYArrival OTPOTP YoY
1Hainan AirlinesHU26,086−0.75%95.86%+1.29%
2China Express AirlinesG513,293+4.66%93.88%+0.86%
3Tianjin AirlinesGS12,459−0.46%93.84%+2.28%
4Chengdu AirlinesEU11,139−0.02%93.54%+2.74%
5Shandong AirlinesSC18,774−5.44%92.69%+5.12%
6Air ChinaCA58,279+7.07%91.88%+0.61%
7Spring Airlines9C19,083+4.06%91.17%+1.06%
8China Southern AirlinesCZ80,847+0.94%90.93%+5.58%
9Sichuan Airlines3U24,272+5.50%90.03%+3.95%
10Juneyao AirHO11,567+2.09%89.52%+1.75%
11Xiamen AirlinesMF22,076−2.17%88.43%+0.70%
12China Eastern AirlinesMU79,801−0.75%88.34%+1.41%
13Shenzhen AirlinesZH25,265+8.64%85.79%+9.94%

Which smaller Chinese airline was the most punctual in August 2026?

In August 2026, Urumqi Air ranked first among China's smaller passenger airlines with 97.12% arrival OTP, followed by Lucky Air (97.00%) and Genghis Khan Airlines (96.79%).

The three largest by arrivals were Loong Air (10,020), Beijing Capital Airlines (9,993) and Shanghai Airlines (9,786); the fastest-growing were Chongqing Airlines (+63.33%), Suparna Airlines (+24.70%) and Air Changan (+24.46%).

Arrival OTP · Smaller Chinese passenger airlines

Top 10 smaller Chinese airlines by arrival OTP, August 2026

  1. 1Urumqi Air UQ97.12%
  2. 2Lucky Air 8L97.00%
  3. 3Genghis Khan 9D96.79%
  4. 4Chongqing OQ96.43%
  5. 5GX GX95.83%
  6. 6Grand China Air CN95.60%
  7. 7Hunan A695.11%
  8. 8West Air PN95.03%
  9. 9Air Changan 9H94.32%
  10. 10Jiangxi Air RY94.07%
China avg 90.83%

Source: VariFlight · August 2026 · Smaller airlines: under 2% of all Chinese passenger flight segments in 2025

Table 3. Arrival OTP ranking of smaller Chinese passenger airlines, August 2026
RankAirlineCodeArrivalsArrivals YoYArrival OTPOTP YoY
1Urumqi AirUQ2,534+18.08%97.12%+4.94%
2Lucky Air8L8,109+0.98%97.00%+0.81%
3Genghis Khan Airlines9D1,214+20.44%96.79%+3.46%
4Chongqing AirlinesOQ196+63.33%96.43%+0.62%
5GX AirlinesGX4,029+9.66%95.83%+5.07%
6Grand China AirCN432+17.39%95.60%−2.54%
7Hunan AirlinesA62,555+7.49%95.11%+1.06%
8West AirPN7,142+4.11%95.03%+4.37%
9Air Changan9H2,570+24.46%94.32%−3.15%
10Jiangxi AirRY2,730+8.59%94.07%+1.02%
11Air GuilinGT1,633−6.04%94.00%+6.71%
12Okay AirwaysBK3,130+15.12%93.67%+6.61%
13Qingdao AirlinesQW4,089+8.84%93.25%+4.70%
14Beijing Capital AirlinesJD9,993−2.91%93.18%+2.45%
15Fuzhou AirlinesFU2,411+1.73%92.87%+2.94%
16Hebei AirlinesNS4,205+5.39%92.32%+0.64%
17Loong AirGJ10,020+2.23%92.19%+2.13%
18Tibet AirlinesTV7,297+12.64%91.09%+5.60%
19Suparna AirlinesY81,777+24.70%90.83%+1.12%
209 AirAQ4,246+6.02%88.65%+4.21%
21Colorful Guizhou AirlinesGY3,426+1.78%88.50%+1.50%
22Ruili AirlinesDR4,409+8.70%87.80%−0.67%
23China United AirlinesKN7,628+8.40%87.65%−0.53%
24Longjiang AirlinesLT1,520+12.09%87.17%−5.29%
25Kunming AirlinesKY4,629+3.77%87.06%−1.20%
26Shanghai AirlinesFM9,786−3.94%86.37%+2.59%
27Donghai AirlinesDZ3,884+7.23%80.77%+8.63%

Airline on-time performance: frequently asked questions

Which airline was the most punctual in the world in August 2026?

According to VariFlight data, Hainan Airlines had the highest arrival on-time performance among the world's 20 airlines with the most arrivals in August 2026, at 95.86%, followed by IndiGo (95.52%) and Turkish Airlines (94.64%).

Which airline operated the most flights in August 2026?

According to VariFlight data, American Airlines had the most arrivals in August 2026, with 195,235 flights, followed by Delta Air Lines (158,315) and United Airlines (156,651).

Which Chinese airline was the most punctual in August 2026?

According to VariFlight data, Hainan Airlines was China's most punctual major passenger airline in August 2026, with 95.86% arrival on-time performance. Among smaller Chinese airlines, Urumqi Air led with 97.12%.

What was the on-time performance of Air China, China Eastern and China Southern in August 2026?

According to VariFlight data, Air China achieved 91.88% arrival on-time performance in August 2026, China Southern Airlines 90.93% and China Eastern Airlines 88.34%, ranking 6th, 8th and 9th among the world's 20 largest airlines by arrivals.

How many flights did Chinese airlines operate in August 2026?

According to VariFlight data, Chinese airlines operated 518,800 passenger flights in August 2026, up 2.51% year on year, with an average arrival on-time performance of 90.83%, up 2.77%.

How punctual were US airlines in August 2026?

According to VariFlight data, six US airlines were among the world's 20 largest airlines by arrivals in August 2026, and all six saw their arrival on-time performance fall year on year. JetBlue had the lowest OTP in the top 20, at 76.26%, down 10.63%.

What are 'major' and 'smaller' Chinese passenger airlines?

VariFlight defines major passenger airlines as those that operated at least 2% of all flight segments flown by Chinese passenger airlines in 2025; airlines below 2% are classed as smaller passenger airlines.

How does VariFlight calculate arrival on-time performance?

VariFlight counts an arriving flight as on time if it arrives no more than 30 minutes after its scheduled arrival time. Only scheduled commercial passenger flights are included; cargo, business aviation and general aviation flights, as well as cancelled flights, are excluded.

Airline on-time performance data summary, August 2026

Arrival OTP of the world's 20 largest airlines

Hainan Airlines (HU): 95.86% (26,086 arrivals) · IndiGo (6E): 95.52% (60,294 arrivals) · Turkish Airlines (TK): 94.64% (39,506 arrivals) · Japan Airlines (JL): 92.90% (26,882 arrivals) · Lufthansa (LH): 92.23% (31,171 arrivals) · Air China (CA): 91.88% (58,279 arrivals) · All Nippon Airways (NH): 91.13% (25,764 arrivals) · China Southern Airlines (CZ): 90.93% (80,847 arrivals) · China Eastern Airlines (MU): 88.34% (79,801 arrivals) · Delta Air Lines (DL): 87.81% (158,315 arrivals) · Alaska Airlines (AS): 87.64% (48,972 arrivals) · British Airways (BA): 86.73% (26,883 arrivals) · Shenzhen Airlines (ZH): 85.79% (25,265 arrivals) · United Airlines (UA): 84.28% (156,651 arrivals) · American Airlines (AA): 83.85% (195,235 arrivals) · Southwest Airlines (WN): 83.48% (117,520 arrivals) · Air Canada (AC): 82.98% (34,934 arrivals) · Ryanair (FR): 81.96% (115,869 arrivals) · easyJet (U2): 78.21% (57,805 arrivals) · JetBlue (B6): 76.26% (29,807 arrivals)

Arrival OTP of major Chinese airlines

Hainan Airlines (HU): 95.86% · China Express Airlines (G5): 93.88% · Tianjin Airlines (GS): 93.84% · Chengdu Airlines (EU): 93.54% · Shandong Airlines (SC): 92.69% · Air China (CA): 91.88% · Spring Airlines (9C): 91.17% · China Southern Airlines (CZ): 90.93% · Sichuan Airlines (3U): 90.03% · Juneyao Air (HO): 89.52% · Xiamen Airlines (MF): 88.43% · China Eastern Airlines (MU): 88.34% · Shenzhen Airlines (ZH): 85.79%

Top 10 smaller Chinese airlines by arrival OTP

Urumqi Air (UQ): 97.12% · Lucky Air (8L): 97.00% · Genghis Khan Airlines (9D): 96.79% · Chongqing Airlines (OQ): 96.43% · GX Airlines (GX): 95.83% · Grand China Air (CN): 95.60% · Hunan Airlines (A6): 95.11% · West Air (PN): 95.03% · Air Changan (9H): 94.32% · Jiangxi Air (RY): 94.07%

Source: VariFlight · August 2026 · Arrival OTP is the share of arrivals landing no more than 30 minutes late

Download the August 2026 airline on-time performance data

The CSV files below contain every ranking on this page, with names in Chinese and English (UTF-8). Please credit the source when citing.

Methodology

Data period
2026-08-01 to 2026-08-31
Passenger flights
Scheduled commercial passenger flights only; cargo, business aviation and general aviation flights are excluded
Actual arrivals
Arrivals with recorded actual take-off and arrival times in VariFlight data; cancelled flights are excluded
On-time arrival
An arrival that lands no more than 30 minutes after its scheduled time
Schedules and operating carrier
As shown in ticketing systems
Chinese airlines
Passenger airlines based in mainland China, excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan
Major passenger airlines
Airlines that operated at least 2% of all flight segments flown by Chinese passenger airlines in 2025
Smaller passenger airlines
Airlines that operated less than 2% of all flight segments flown by Chinese passenger airlines in 2025

When citing this report, please credit: "Source: VariFlight, Airline On-Time Performance Report, August 2026".

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VariFlight (飞常准) is the flight data brand of Feeyo Technology (飞友科技), providing global flight status, airport and airline operations data, and historical aviation data. This report uses data from the VariFlight app and the VariFlight civil aviation dashboard and is published monthly.

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