The Philippine Airlines announced that it has started its flight service operation in between Manila and Siargao on Thursday and resumed its services to Basco and Busuanga from Manila in time for the summer vacation.
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said for flight operation on these routes, the airline will be using the new Dash 8-400NGs (formerly known as the Bombardier Q400NG) which are comparable to bigger jets in terms of performance, efficiency and inflight comfort.
She added the Dash 8s provide passengers a quieter cabin and comfortable seats compared to previous-generation turboprops.
The new Manila-Siargao-Manila route brings to four the total number of hubs operating flights to the popular surfing destination. PAL also flies to Siargao from Clark, Cebu, and Davao.
With the brand new flights (Manila- Basco/Manila-Busuanga) passengers may fly to picturesque Basco from Manila or Clark and to idyllic Busuanga from Manila, Clark or Cebu.
The flag carrier earlier announced it has also expanded its network in Mindanao with the re-introduction of flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to and from Pagadian.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade commended PAL for its timeliness in expanding its domestic route network which creates connectivity in the country’s southern areas.
PAL, which recently won the World's Most Improved Airline award from Skytrax, also beefed up its hub network from Cebu, from which PAL now serves a total of 17 destinations, namely: Bacolod, Busuanga, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan, Camiguin, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos, lloilo, Kalibo, Legazpi, Ozamiz, Puerto Princesa, Siargao, Zamboanga, and Tacloban.