PAL achieves average on-time departure rate of 90%

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Airlines (PAL) achieved an average departure on-time rate of 90.2 percent in its system-wide operations from April to December 2009, the first nine months of its current financial year, the flag carrier reported yesterday.

PAL said operational punctuality averaged 90.9 percent for its domestic flights and 89.1 percent for international flights. Both efforts exceeded the International Air Transport Association (IATA) industry standard of 85 percent, as well as PAL’s own internal benchmarks of 90 percent for domestic and 85 percent for international operations.

Company officials noted that the impressive on-time performance highlights PAL’s renewed efficiency and marks an auspicious start to 2010, when the airline opens several new routes and takes delivery of new aircraft.

They said a key factor in PAL’s resurgence is the deployment of a young, modern fleet. The carrier’s fleet of single-aisle aircraft, consisting of 22 Airbus A320 and A319 jets that fly domestic and short-range international routes, has an average age of only four years, one of the youngest in the world.

The bi-class jets also make PAL the only airline to offer business-class service in the domestic market. “This allows our premium passengers to experience an upgraded level of service not only onboard but also on the ground via access to our exclusive Mabuhay Lounges at five domestic airports,” PAL said.

The long-range fleet is not too far behind, they added. Bannered by its brand-new flagship, the Boeing 777-300ER delivered just over a month ago, the intercontinental fleet also comprises five newly refurbished Boeing 747-400s, four Airbus A340-300s and eight A330-300s.

“With one of the youngest fleets in the industry, more amenities in the air and on the ground, and reliable on-time service, our passengers are getting extremely good value for money,” PAL officials emphasized.