On June 26, 2019, members of the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP) signed a Pledge of Commitment and Support in which they vowed to help improve the country’s aviation and airport service. ACAP members Cebu Pacific, CebGo, Philippine Airlines, PAL Express, and Air Asia all committed to fully cooperate with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in its efforts to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and develop other local and international airports.
This move was meant to address the overcapacity situation of NAIA, which, as of 2018, had been accommodating 130 percent more than its designed passenger traffic capacity, from 36.5 million to 45 million. As a result, the on-time-performance (OTP)—the adherence to published flight schedules by an airline—of numerous carriers were negatively affected.
To help address the issue, the five signatory airlines implemented process improvements which include stricter adherence to gate closure and door closure times; deployment of stand-by flight deck crews at the airport to reduce response time to unexpected situations; and adoption of new technologies to better monitor operations in real time.
In just three months, ACAP’s collective efforts have borne fruit. In a report to the DOTr, ACAP-member carriers reported an average 83% OTP for flights at NAIA in September 2019, a new high over a 12-month period.
Chief executives of member-airlines of the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP) are joined by government officials in simple turnover rites of the Chairmanship of ACAP from Cebu Pacific to Air Asia. From left: PAL Express President Bonifacio Sam; Cebgo President and CEO Alex Reyes; CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla; Philippine Airlines President Gilbert Santa Maria; DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation Manuel Tamayo; AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla; MIAA General Manager Eddie Monreal; President and CEO of Cebu Pacific Lance Gokongwei; and CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco.
According to the report, September’s OTP is up seven percentage points versus the OTP rates posted in July and August 2019. The last time OTP was at this level was in September 2018 at 85%.
From July to September 2019, OTP reached 78%, higher than the OTPs of 65% and 62%, respectively, in the first and second quarters of 2019. The average OTP in NAIA from January to September 2019 stands at 68%.
“We thank the airlines for their cooperation and for making changes in their respective operations to enhance the travel experience of airport users. While we catch-up and expedite aviation infrastructure projects, I hope we continue the solidarity and hard work to try to provide some measure of comfort and convenience to our air passengers,” said DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade.
From left: AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla, the incoming chairman of the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines, shares a moment with outgoing ACAP Chairman Lance Gokongwei, Cebu Pacific President and CEO.
Lance Gokongwei, outgoing Chairman of ACAP as well as President and CEO of Cebu Pacific, cited the increased collaboration and cooperation from DOTr, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the Civil Aeronautics Board, and the Manila International Airport Authority which were integral to making most efficient use of aviation infrastructure.
“We thank the government for working with the airlines to address growing demand. The use of Runway 31 for take-off has led to faster movement of aircraft, reduced aircraft taxi times, resulting in less ramp congestion. We have also seen a reduction in departure clearance time delays because of better airspace management and the full use of the new air traffic and navigation system,” said Gokongwei.
As of September 30, 2019, the ACAP-member airlines mounted a total of 8685 flights, up 5% year-on-year.
Banner image: iStock/Wicki58
