PAL Express

PAL Express, operating under the umbrella of Philippine Airlines, demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, as reflected in its certifications and safety ratings.

• Recent Safety Record and Any Notable Incidents: A significant historical incident under the former "Air Philippines" brand was the Air Philippines Flight 541 crash in April 2000, which tragically killed all 131 people on board. More recently, under the PAL Express brand, there have been several minor incidents reported, including runway excursions (e.g., December 2024 at Bacolod-Silay Airport, December 2021 at Mactan–Cebu International Airport), bird strikes (e.g., September 2023, August 2018), touching down before the runway threshold (July 2024), a cracked windshield (July 2015), and smoke in the cabin (May 2018). Importantly, most recent incidents have not resulted in injuries. In November 2025, several PAL Express flights were cancelled as a precautionary measure following a global Airbus advisory for a software update on A320 and A321 aircraft.
• Regulatory Certifications: PAL Express, along with Philippine Airlines, consistently passes the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), which is widely recognized as the "gold standard" in airline safety assessments. PAL Express first achieved IOSA registration in 2014 and has undergone multiple successful renewals, with its current registration valid until March 28, 2025. Furthermore, the Philippine aviation industry, encompassing PAL Express, received an upgrade to FAA Category 1 status in 2014, indicating compliance with international safety standards. PAL Express has also been certified as ISO 9001:2015 for its Quality Management System by SGS Philippines since 2018, with annual renewals.
• Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation: PAL Express operates a modern fleet with an average age of approximately 6.5 to 6.8 years. The airline's adherence to stringent aircraft engineering and maintenance standards is regularly assessed as part of its IOSA audits, which cover operational management and control systems.
• Overall Safety Assessment Based on Available Data: Despite some minor operational incidents, PAL Express maintains a robust safety profile, underpinned by its consistent adherence to international safety audits (IOSA), its modern fleet, and the overall FAA Category 1 rating of the Philippine aviation authority. These certifications highlight a sustained commitment to operational safety within the PAL Group.
• Any Safety Awards or Recognitions: PAL Express has received a 7-star safety rating from AirlineRatings.com, which is the highest possible ranking awarded by the safety and product rating agency. This recognition acknowledges its strong safety performance and adherence to industry best practices.