PAL says on-time flights a record high in October

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has registered a record high on-time flight performance in October, lifting its year-to-date record to top Filipino carriers flying out of Manila, the flag carrier said late Monday.

It achieved a 92% on-time flights in October 2019, covering both international and domestic flights, the airline said in a state

OTP takes into consideration the number of departures and arrivals made within 15 minutes of schedule, including canceled flights.

In September, PAL notched an 89% OTP on the heels of 82% in August and 80% in July, all 7 percentage points higher than its closest competitors, the airline said.

“Over the entire year, month by month, the PAL Group consistently maintained a lead of five to 15 percentage points in on-time departures from the Manila hub, including flights operated by PAL Express,” the carrier said.

“PAL’s surge in OTP since July is the result of concerted initiatives by PAL and PAL Express network and operations teams to achieve more efficient aircraft movement and schedule management, pre-flight passenger and ground handling processes, post-flight evaluation designed to refine and improve all action steps, and closer coordination with the airport and aviation authorities,” it added.

PAL and other Philippine carriers committed to regulators in July to improve OTP through flight operations management and airport slots usage.

“The combined efforts of the authorities and the airlines were instrumental in significantly improving the reliability of airline operations at the NAIA, which is the hub of various Philippine carriers,” it said.

According to PAL, it operates the largest international airline hub at the NAIA complex with flights out of NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News