PAL Named ‘Most Punctual Airline’ in Asia-Pacific

PAL Named ‘Most Punctual Airline’ in Asia-Pacific

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | September 16, 2025

MANILA – Philippine Airlines (PAL), once plagued by punctuality issues, has secured the title of “Most Punctual Airline” in the Asia-Pacific for August 2025.

Achieving an impressive 89.37 percent On-Time Performance rating, the flag carrier surpassed the average 80.83 percent OTP of the top 10 Asia-Pacific airlines by a significant eight percentage points.

The recognition comes from Cirium, a respected London-based aviation analytics firm that meticulously tracks the OTP of airlines and airports worldwide.

Cirium defines on-time arrival as reaching the gate within 15 minutes of the scheduled time, a key metric reflecting both passenger expectations and airline adherence to airport slot allocations.

“We laud the efforts of our engineers, ground, and flight teams for working toward on-time performance through operational efficiency,” said Capt. Roland Narciso, PAL senior vice president for the operations group.

“In partnership with our aviation stakeholders, we remain steadfast in our commitment to further enhance on-time performance, a crucial factor for operational reliability and customer satisfaction,” Narciso added.

The achievement is not an isolated success for PAL.

The airline has consistently demonstrated improved punctuality, claiming the top spot in April and securing second place in January this year and October in 2024.

PAL also ranked third in March, November, and December of 2024.

The newfound reliability has resonated well, particularly with “balikbayans” (Filipinos returning to their home country) who increasingly favor PAL for its direct flights from the United States.

Beyond convenience, passengers are drawn to the airline’s commitment to providing heartfelt Filipino service, an enhanced onboard experience, and a welcoming cabin crew.

For PAL, the days of the “Plane Always Late” moniker are now a thing of the past.

The airline’s focus on operational efficiency and customer service has paid dividends, positioning it as a leading choice for travelers seeking a reliable and enjoyable flying experience.