Insider Spotlight
The flag carrier achieved the highest on-time arrival performance in the region in 2025, based on independently verified data from global aviation analytics firm Cirium.
The recognition places PAL ahead of peers operating in what is widely considered one of the world’s most complex aviation environments, marked by congestion, weather disruptions, and infrastructure constraints.
Why it matters
For passengers, punctuality is more than a metric. It directly affects travel confidence, connections, and overall experience.
For airlines, consistent on-time performance signals operational maturity and coordination across multiple functions.
PAL emphasized that its reliability is the result of close collaboration among flight operations, engineering, airport services, ground handling, and customer-facing teams.
By the numbers
PAL posted an on-time arrival performance of 83.12 percent, the highest among Asia-Pacific carriers tracked under Cirium’s On-Time Performance program.
Now in its 17th year, the program is regarded as the global benchmark for airline reliability, tracking millions of flights using objective and transparent methodologies
What they’re saying
“This achievement reflects the discipline, professionalism, and teamwork of our entire organization, particularly our frontline teams who operate our flights safely and reliably every day,” Lucio C. Tan III, president and chief operating officer of PAL Holdings Inc, said in a press release.
“It also reflects what can be achieved through strong collaboration with our private sector partners, including MacroAsia Corporation, Lufthansa Technik Philippines, New NAIA Infrastructure Corp., Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., and LIPAD Corp, as well as the continued support of our government partners.”
Between the lines
The award comes as Asia-Pacific airlines continue to face capacity pressures and rising operational complexity.
Maintaining punctuality under these conditions suggests a level of resilience that can translate into competitive advantage, particularly for full-service carriers seeking to differentiate on reliability rather than price alone
What’s next
PAL said it remains focused on sustaining strong operational performance while further strengthening reliability as part of its broader vision to be a globally recognized airline delivering world-class service.
For passengers, that means punctuality is not positioned as a one-time achievement, but as an ongoing commitment embedded in how the airline runs its network every day. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
