A study conducted by the Official Aviation Guide (OAG) ranked Grande Prairie Airport as the most reliable airport in Canada for on-time departures.

The survey, which oversaw 125 airlines over 505 airports worldwide between June 2018 and May 2019, identified Grande Prairie Airport’s on-time departures at 81.9 per cent, pegging it at rank 108 in the world.

Kelowna International Airport ranked second in Canada, trailing Grande Prairie by 0.7 per cent.

According to the OAG monthly report for June 2019, Grande Prairie ranked number four in North America, and 37 globally; kicking it’s on time departure (OTP) average up to 92.5 per cent that month.

Operating out of the United Kingdom since its inception in 1929, OAG is an industry leader in aviation study and statistics.

“Although most Canadian airlines and airports rank in the lower half of the worldwide survey, this is a great testament to the professionalism and dedication of all parties at our local airport,” said Airport CEO Brian Grant in a press release.

Across Canada, of the 21 airports surveyed, the top 10 all presided in western Canada. Fort McMurray claimed third position, Edmonton came in at sixth and Calgary at seventh.

“Airports can be a major contributor to the success of the airlines’ performance so it’s important that airports provide the best possible operational environment, especially in inclement weather,” said Grant.

Canada’s two primary airlines, Westjet and Air Canada, were also surveyed. Reporting an OTP average of 77.1 per cent, Westjet dwarfed all other Canadian airlines.

“On-time departure statistics are important to airlines in monitoring their service levels and proficiencies,” said Grant.

Air Canada reported an average of only 66.6 per cent over the survey.

“The success of on-time departures is reliant upon many factors including finely tuned co-ordination of many people during operations,” Grant added. “Employees of airlines, passenger screening, baggage handling, security and customer service, restaurant service, airfield operation, air terminal operation, and air traffic controllers all play a part in the on-time departure of a flight.”

Full details of the OAG survey can be found on their website.