FlySafair, South Africa's largest airline, has made history by becoming the only African airline to feature in Cirium's latest "Most On-Time Airlines" rankings, securing the top position in the Middle East and Africa region with an impressive 93.82% on-time performance rate.

The airline's remarkable performance is attributed to its 97.14% on-time arrival rate and a flight completion factor of 99.86%. With a total of 57,272 flights completed, FlySafair's punctuality and reliability have solidified its position as a leader in the aviation industry.

To qualify for Cirium's On-Time Performance Review, airlines must meet an 80% gate arrival time data coverage requirement, which applies across several categories: Global, Major (by region), and Low-Cost carriers. The review criteria are tailored by region to reflect the varying scales of operations, with the Middle East and Africa region having a threshold of 30% Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) to match the region's operational sizes accurately.

However, despite this achievement, FlySafair faces a potential grounding due to ownership issues. The Department of Transport has given the airline a year to reduce its foreign shareholding, or it risks having its operating license suspended. This decision comes after it was determined that FlySafair does not meet the country's local ownership regulations, which mandate that at least 75% of the voting rights in domestic airlines must be held by South African citizens.

The airline is now required to submit a compliance plan, including a term sheet detailing milestones, within 14 days and provide monthly updates on its progress. If FlySafair fails to comply, the grounding of the airline could have a significant impact, potentially stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers. The airline currently holds a dominant 60% share of the domestic market, serving around 30,000 passengers daily with its fleet of 34 aircraft.

This development raises concerns about the potential consequences of non-compliance on the aviation industry and the passengers it serves. As FlySafair works to address its ownership issues, the industry will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds.

In the meantime, FlySafair's achievement in Cirium's "Most On-Time Airlines" rankings serves as a testament to the airline's commitment to punctuality and reliability. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how FlySafair navigates these challenges and maintains its position as a leader in the region.