Philippine Airlines (PAL), the nation’s flag carrier, has officially been named the most punctual airline in the Asia-Pacific region for 2025, marking a historic milestone for Philippine aviation. According to the annual On-Time Performance (OTP) Review by global aviation analytics leader Cirium, PAL achieved a dominant on-time arrival rate of 83.12% across more than 116,000 flights.
This achievement marks the first time PAL has claimed the top regional spot, unseating perennial leaders like Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways. The 83.12% rating reflects a significant operational overhaul, placing PAL ahead of major regional competitors including Air New Zealand (2nd), All Nippon Airways (3rd), and Singapore Airlines (4th).
The annual ranking follows a string of monthly successes throughout 2025. PAL maintained the #1 position for four consecutive months from August to November, peaking with a remarkable 90.47% OTP in September.
“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,” said Lucio C. Tan III, President and Chief Operating Officer of PAL Holdings, Inc. “It also reflects what can be achieved through strong collaboration with our private and government partners.”
The 2025 punctuality record coincides with a period of robust growth and modernization for the airline:
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Fleet Renewal: PAL recently took delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000, with eight more on order, alongside 13 A321neos slated for delivery.
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Infrastructure Synergy: The airline credited its success to improved coordination with the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp and partners like Lufthansa Technik Philippines.
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Financial Health: The airline reported a net income of USD 137 million for the first half of 2025, supported by a 7% increase in passenger volume.
Under Cirium’s rigorous industry standards, a flight is considered “on-time” if it arrives at the gate within 14 minutes and 59 seconds of its scheduled arrival time. PAL’s ability to maintain this standard in a region known for complex air traffic and weather disruptions highlights its maturing operational integrity.
As PAL moves into 2026, the carrier remains focused on its vision to become a globally recognized full-service airline, blending world-class reliability with the “Buong Pusong Alaga” (wholehearted care) service that has defined the brand for 85 years.
