Cirium Presents 2023 On-Time Performance Awards to MSP Airport

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) wrapped up 2023 with a rare double win in Cirium’s 2023 On-Time Performance Review, garnering the top global airport and large airport awards.

Cirium presented the awards Tuesday to Metropolitan Airports Commission CEO Brian Ryks and Chair Rick King during a ceremony at MSP that included hundreds of airport employees.

“These awards highlight the incredible teams and employees at the MAC who support our airline partners in delivering the best on-time performance rates while minimizing passenger disruptions throughout the year,” Ryks said. “Last winter challenged our region with heavy and frequent snowstorms, yet our teams showed their dedication keeping equipment, facilities and the MSP airfield in prime condition to achieve the best possible operational capabilities that contributed to achieving this rare industry honor.”

Now in its 15th year, the Cirium On-Time Performance program monitors global airline and airport operational performance through extensive and unbiased data, derived from over 600 real-time information sources. 

MSP is only the second U.S. airport to win a Cirium global award following Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in 2011. MSP’s 2023 global on-time departure rate of 84.44% was calculated across 289,817 flights, ahead of the other top five finishers: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (India), Kempegowda International Airport (India), El Dorado International Airport (Colombia), and Salt Lake City International Airport (U.S.). 

“On-time performance is a critical way we deliver on MAC’s purpose: providing exceptional airport experiences so Minnesota thrives,” King said. “These awards affirm the trust and expectations that MSP has earned over many years in helping millions of people travel easily and efficiently across the globe to strengthen regional business connections and support personal and leisure travel.”  

“Cirium's Annual On-Time Performance Review brings to light the exceptional strides we're seeing across the global aviation sector. The 2023 results speak volumes about how our airports are not just meeting but surpassing expectations in efficiency, especially as we witness a resurgence in demand,” said Cirium Chief Marketing Officer Mike Malik. “The team at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport have really set the bar high, leading the pack in both the global and large airport categories. I want to extend my deepest congratulations to the team at MSP for their dedication and outstanding commitment to excellence.”

In Cirium’s 2023 airline rankings, MSP’s hub carrier Delta Air Lines was honored with the Platinum Award for the third year running as the top global performer. Delta also topped the rankings for most on-time airline in North America.

In Cirium’s award analysis, an on-time flight is defined as a flight that arrives within 15 minutes of the scheduled gate arrival. For an airport, it is defined as departing within 15 minutes of its scheduled departure.