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Airlines’ on-time flight performance improves —DOTr
The on-time flight performance of Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific has significantly improved two weeks a pledge of commitment to improve the aviation and airports sector was signed, the Department of Transportation (DOTr)said on Friday.
PAL senior vice president for Operations Group Capt. Stanley Ng Stanley Ng reported to the DOTr that the flag carrier’s monthly average on-time performance improved from below 60% in April 2019 to nearly 80% in June.
PAL’s running average OTP is 82% so far this July, the DOTr said.
In the case of Cebu Pacific, COO Michael Ivan Shau noted that from 60% in June, their OTP improved at 77% in July, and 80% during peak days.
The OTP rating is measured by the number of departures and arrivals that take place less than 15 minutes after the scheduled departure or arrival times, including cancellations, according to the DOTr.
Improvements were underway after the Pledge of Commitment was signed on June 26, 2019, both PAL and Cebu Pacific noted.
The airlines committed to help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by improving on-time flight performance, supporting the development of other gateways including Sangley Airport in Cavite, and improving the travel experience of air passengers.
“I can confirm that our participation in the Pledge of Commitment really helped improve our OTP. At the same time, we will continue to improve our internal processes and collaborate with CAAP, MIAA and CAB to make sure that our passengers will have a better experience when traveling to the Philippines,” Ng said.
Airline officials noted the daily publication of OTP, starting in mid-May as ordered by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, has helped push for improved performance and promoting the airlines’ accountability to the air-riding public, the DOTr said.
“Coordinated and concerted efforts from all stakeholders resulted in OTP improvement at the NAIA, and we will remain in cooperation with the government under the Pledge of Commitment to ease the travel of the public,” Shau said.
Tugade encouraged the airline operators them to strive for more improvements for the comfort and convenience of travelers.
“I thank PAL and Cebu Pacific for their efforts to improve OTP. It is my hope that this be increased, and that more and more airlines follow suit,” Tugade said.
MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal noted the improved OTP reflects the effective collaboration and cooperation between the government and the private sector.
“We shall continue in this direction as we work on a number of solutions to decongest the NAIA,” Monreal said. —Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News
