How often are flights delayed at CIU?

20% of departures from Chippewa County International Airport left 15+ minutes late between 2024-06 and 2026-05, with an average departure delay of 25 minutes. The national on-time average over the same period was 78%.

What is the best time of day to depart from CIU?

Flights scheduled around 6 a.m. depart on time 85% of the time at CIU, versus 73% around 4 p.m.. Booking before noon is the usual rule of thumb here.

How often are flights cancelled at CIU?

3.1% of scheduled departures from CIU were cancelled in this period, compared with a national rate of 1.6%.

Chippewa County International Airport (CIU): Delays & On-Time Performance

Data through May 2026

Chippewa County International Airport (CIU) in Sault Ste. Marie, MI is a middle-of-the-pack performer: 80% of departures are on time, within a few points of the national 78%. It hosts 1 airlines flying 2 departures a day to 3 destinations, with cancellations at 3.1%.

Departures on-time: 80%; left <15 min late
Avg dep delay: 25 min
Arrivals on-time: 76%
Cancelled: 3.1%
Destinations: 3; nonstop
Airlines: 1

Plan your departure from CIU

The choices most likely to improve your odds, based on this airport’s historical record.

Best departure time: Around 6 a.m.; 85% on-time
Best day to fly: Wednesday; 83% on-time
Nearest alternative: PLN — Pellston; 49 miles away
Cancellation risk: 3.1%; above the US average

Check routes from CIU ↓Compare nearby airports ↓

Monthly on-time trend

Best time of day to depart from CIU

By day of week

Day	On-time	Avg delay
Monday	74%	25 min
Tuesday	77%	27 min
Wednesdaybest	83%	16 min
Thursday	80%	22 min
Friday	78%	26 min
Saturday	74%	27 min
Sunday	74%	35 min

Next: compare the busiest routes from CIU ↓

Busiest routes from CIU

Route	Flights/12mo	On-time	Avg delay
CIU → DTW (Detroit)	363	79%	22 min
CIU → MSP (Minneapolis)	357	80%	29 min
CIU → ORD (Chicago)	127	54%	30 min

Where flights into CIU come from

Route	Flights/12mo	On-time	Avg delay
DTW (Detroit) → CIU	363	75%	25 min
MSP (Minneapolis) → CIU	357	77%	18 min
ORD (Chicago) → CIU	127	71%	18 min

Most reliable routes

Most delay-prone routes

What causes delays at CIU

Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT, weighted across routes departing CIU.

Late-arriving aircraft4%
Airline operations66%
National airspace system8%
Weather23%

Alternative airports near Sault Ste. Marie

Other airports within 120 miles, compared on departure reliability.

Airport	Distance	On-time departures	Avg delay
PLN — Pellston Regional Airport of Emmet County Airport	49 mi	81%	22 min
APN — Alpena County Regional Airport	91 mi	83%	23 min
TVC — Cherry Capital Airport	117 mi	77%	23 min

Compare the airport-level record first, then check the exact route you plan to book.

Frequently asked questions

How often are flights delayed at CIU?: 20% of departures from Chippewa County International Airport left 15+ minutes late between 2024-06 and 2026-05, with an average departure delay of 25 minutes. The national on-time average over the same period was 78%.
What is the best time of day to depart from CIU?: Flights scheduled around 6 a.m. depart on time 85% of the time at CIU, versus 73% around 4 p.m.. Booking before noon is the usual rule of thumb here.
How often are flights cancelled at CIU?: 3.1% of scheduled departures from CIU were cancelled in this period, compared with a national rate of 1.6%.

Popular route pages from this airport

Related guides

Based on 1,590 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.