More Filipinos are traveling during long weekends, taking advantage of Philippine Airlines' (PAL) promotional fares and schedule reliability, as shown by the influx of passengers booked for the long Halloween weekend.
More than 66,000 PAL passengers will fly over the three-day weekend to PAL's various domestic and international destinations, indicating high public confidence in the flag carrier's continued operations.
The steady stream of passengers boarding PAL's all-jet airplanes especially during the ongoing semestral break, upcoming Halloween weekend and the recent barangay poll weekend indicate that passengers have overcome fears of any work stoppage at PAL arising from a labor dispute with the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP).
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has assumed jurisdiction over the PAL-FASAP row, effectively banning a strike and preventing any work stoppage in the airline. Baldoz issued the order stating that PAL's continued operation is imbued with national interest.
During the first half of October 2010, the number of passengers who flew PAL increased by a modest 6%, compared to the same period last year, despite the periodic lean season. The All Saints/Souls Days travel rush marks the beginning of the peak season.
Moreso, travelers who flew across PAL's 26 international route network from Oct. 1-15, 2010 reached more than 137,000 or an 18% increase over the same period last year.
Aside from discounted tickets, renewed confidence in the reliability of PAL's flight schedules also contributed to the increase in passengers. In September 2010, more than nine out of every 10 PAL flights (out of a total of 4,437 flights) departed and arrived on schedule, registering an on-time performance (OTP) rating of 92.4%, well above the industry standard.
PAL achieved an annual OTP rating of 90.8% for fiscal year 2009-2010 (ending March 2010).
PAL's fleet of modern airplanes, equipped with state-of-the-art inflight entertainment systems, rank second among top passenger satisfiers, next only to the gracious cabin service and amenities.