Philippine Airlines is introducing new routes and hikes in flight frequencies ahead of taking delivery of the first of 21 new aircraft scheduled to arrive by the end of 2019.
Philippine Airlines is on the rise – the carrier is growing capacity and looking beyond the UK towards other European routes. President and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista also explains why he is excited about the Japanese market and reveals that flights to India could be reintroduced.
The Asian carrier is to cut more than 100 seats from eight of its A330-300s. Although a less dense configuration will result in capacity reductions on certain routes, it will vastly improve the passenger experience and customer satisfaction on board the airline’s flights and notably will enable Philippine Airlines to offer a premium product once again across all medium- and long-haul routes.
Philippine Airlines will configure its A350-900s with a premium three class layout and plans to operate the aircraft on non-stop flights from Manila to the US west coast and New York, as well as on services to new destinations in Europe. The aircraft will enable the carrier to operate non-stop service on the 8,000 nautical mile Manila – New York route all year round with a full passenger load.
Flag carrier, Philippine Airlines has announced it will launch services to Auckland from Manila later this year, marking the first time the airline has ever operated in New Zealand.
In the first change to the Philippine - Canada Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) since December 2008, the two sides have agreed to increase the frequency entitlement for each side from seven flights a week to 14. Fifth freedom rights were also increased from four to five per week.
Etihad Airways' MoU with Philippine Airlines is an important milestone in the long-standing relationship between the two flag carriers as well as ties between Abu Dhabi and the Philippines. More than 700,000 Filipinos live in the UAE and account for much of the traffic on the Abu Dhabi - Manila route each year, one of the busiest routes in the entire Etihad network.
A recently renegotiated Air Service Agreement (ASA) between Japan and Philippines will see All Nippon Airways (ANA), Cebu Pacific Air, and Philippine Airlines all introduce more regular flights between Manila and Japanese destinations during the summer 2014 schedule.
