Etihad Airways has posted its best operational on-time performance (OTP) results since 2009.

OTP is calculated on actual flight arrival and departure times within 15 minutes of the published schedule and takes into consideration external factors including weather disruption and airspace congestion.

In 2017, the airline recorded network punctuality of 82 per cent for flight departures and 86 per cent for arrivals – placing the airline as one of the most reliable airlines in the world for last year.

OTP for departures at the airline’s Abu Dhabi hub was 79 per cent, and 89 per cent for arrivals.

Overall, the company improved its network departure punctuality in 2017 by three percentage points over the previous year.

Richard Hill, chief operations officer, Etihad Airways, said: “We are pleased to have recorded these strong on-time performance figures for 2017, which illustrate that Etihad Airways is an airline that – following safety – prioritises punctuality for its guests.

“Furthermore, the number of passengers carried annually increased from the previous year, with more than 18.6 million air travellers flying with Etihad Airways in 2017.”