Aurigny takes issue with Telegraph data as reliability is criticised again

The Daily Telegraph newspaper ranked 90 airlines across the world based on in-flight experience, reliability, connectivity and luggage rules.

Emirates, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines took the top spots, but Aurigny was ranked 85th, only just above Wizz Air and Spirit Airlines, and it tied with Loganair as the ‘least reliable’ of all the airlines examined.

The reliability scores were based on the airlines’ global on-time performance (OTP) in 2023, as well as its OTP and cancellation rate for UK departures in 2023.

Aurigny CEO Nico Bezuidenhout has challenged the figures, saying the airline’s overall OTP percentage was 81.2% last year.

‘The punctuality statistic of 36.2% supplied to the Telegraph by OAG does not correspond with Aurigny’s own punctuality data, nor does it correspond with the definitive source of UK punctuality data – the UK Civil Aviation Authority,’ he said.

‘According to the CAA, Aurigny’s combined arrival and departure punctuality for 2023, not adjusted for weather or air traffic control delays, was 72%. Our own data is adjusted, hence the figure of 81.2%, and this compares favourably with an all-carrier average of 64%.’

He said that the Telegraph’s data seemed ‘markedly different’ from its 2023 Travel Awards, when Aurigny was voted third best short-haul airline.

Aurigny has been beset by issues in 2024, including bad weather, parts shortages, the sale of the jet earlier this year and the subsequent problems with leased aircraft. But the scale of these problems were not seen last year.

‘We acknowledge and apologise that in 2024 there has been increased disruption and we have not lived up to our own high standards, nor the high standards our customers and islanders expect from us,’ said Mr Bezuidenhout.

‘Our team are committed to improving our reliability going forward and I want to thank them for their hard work.’