Philippine Airlines said Thursday it is reviewing the expansion plan to new routes in the United States and Europe.
“While there is a market clamor for the opening of new routes to the US and Europe and these are under review, PAL remains focused on implementing a well-calibrated program centered on network expansion, fleet modernization and service innovation,” PAL said in a statement.
The Philippine flag carrier operates 57 weekly long-haul frequencies to North America, specifically to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Vancouver, Honolulu and Toronto. It also operates five weekly flights between Manila and London Heathrow.
PAL is the only airline flying non-stop between the Philippines and the US mainland, Hawaii, Canada and London.
PAL uses the new Airbus A350-900 on its route between London and Manila—which is a better-sized aircraft offering an enhanced premium product.
“Improved passenger loads on the route can be attributed to the premium product supported by PAL’s more aggressive marketing campaign in the UK. The flag carrier’s non-stop US-Manila flights remain highly popular for business and leisure travelers and Filipino balikbayans,” PAL said. Darwin G. Amojelar
PAL flies to 43 international and 35 domestic destinations using 95 aircraft, one of the youngest fleets in the industry with an average age of just five years.
PAL’s parent firm, PAL Holdings Inc. earlier reported a net loss of P60.81 million in the first three months of 2019, an improvement from the P201.63-million loss in the same period last year.
Consolidated revenues in the first quarter amounted to P39.27 billion, up 7.2 percent from P36.62 billion a year ago.
ANA HD, the Japanese parent company of All Nippon Airways, earlier invested $95 million for a 9.5-percent stake in PAL Holdings.
ANA HD acquired the shares from Trustmark Holdings Corp. which is owned by the family of billionaire Lucio Tan and the largest shareholder of PAL Holdings.
