There are many places that Philippine Airlines has flown to in the past. PAL was forced to stop operating to these locations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, the Asian financial crisis in 1998, and other difficulties the airline had previously encountered. Nevertheless, PAL keeps restoring some of these flights as the aviation sector recovers. There are still a few former international destinations I really hope PAL can bring back once they have enough aircraft and a sufficient number of passengers from those locations.
Baguio flights from PAL will resume after a 24-year hiatus. On Friday, December 16, PAL will start offering flights from Cebu to Baguio. In 2023, PAL plans to resume service to Perth, Australia.
Permit me to list the places I hope PAL can resume serving in the upcoming years.
London, United Kingdom (LHR)
In 2013, PAL resumed service between Manila and London-LHR; however, the route was discontinued in 2022 as a result of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and a lack of aircraft. Capt. Stanley Ng, the president of Philippine Airlines (PAL), recently declared his intention to resume service between Manila and London in 2023, provided that the finances are on track and there are sufficient widebody aircraft to fly the route. For the route, PAL uses its Boeing 777s first, followed by its A350s.
Paris, France (CDG)
When it ran four flights per week, Philippine Airlines last flew to Paris in 1998. Four flights per week were the most that could be operated under the previous air services agreement, which was signed in 1969. France agreed to third-country code sharing for Air France and KLM on the Paris-Manila route via Amsterdam in addition to raising the current weekly cap to seven flights, enabling the introduction of a new daily service.
Following San Miguel Corporation’s acquisition of PAL, the airline also declared its intention to resume flights to Paris in 2013. I hope that this route is reinstated even though it did not materialize. A direct flight between MNL and CDG might be advantageous for both the airline and the many Filipinos who reside in France.
Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
Before the Asian financial crisis hit in 1998, PAL flew between Manila and Frankfurt. According to an outdated timetable from the 1980s, PAL flew 747s and DC-10s to Frankfurt four times per week. The A340 was used for the route by PAL in the late 1990s. Again, PAL considered restarting flights to Frankfurt in 2013, but nothing came of it. I just hope that once PAL has enough aircraft to fly the route, this will be added to their list of upcoming destinations.
Rome, Italy (FCO)
In the 1980s, PAL operated four to six flights per week between Manila and Rome, Italy, once more using both Boeing 747 and McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft. Rome is also home to a significant number of OFWs, so having a direct gateway between the Philippines and Italy would be beneficial to the Filipinos who reside there.
Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS)
In the 1980s, PAL operated flights between Manila and Amsterdam. However, PAL ordered six Airbus A350 aircraft in 2016 and has an additional six options. Amsterdam was one of the European cities Jaime J. Bautista, the then-President of PAL, was considering adding to the carrier’s list of new destinations for 2018. I really hope that this idea is reconsidered because it might be useful for travelers from Australia to Europe. We refer to this as the “Kangaroo Route.”
Chicago, USA (ORD)
PAL is now present on both the East and West Coasts of the United States. I’m hoping they can add a stop in the Midwest to their itinerary. I believe PAL operated flights between Manila and Chicago in the past. It might be advantageous to have direct services between Manila and Chicago due to the area’s significant Filipino population. I’m hoping PAL will add this to their list as well.
Tel Aviv, Israel (TLV)
In the 1950s, PAL made its final flight between Manila and Tel Aviv. Fast forward to 2021, it was reported that PAL planned to begin operating twice-weekly flights between Manila and Tel Aviv in October. However, nothing proceeded as planned. There are 28,000 overseas Filipino workers in Israel, with the majority living in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. Additionally, Christians enjoy visiting there as vacationers. Church organizations frequently plan pilgrimages to the Holy Land. I therefore hope that this also passes.
I do hope that PAL gradually resumes service to these destinations, which will reestablish direct connections to the Philippines, although everything will obviously depend on their market research, the number of aircraft they have, and their financial situation. The Philippines may once again serve as a good transit hub for people traveling from Australia to Europe and from Asia to the United States with the completion of the the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, scheduled for completion by 2027 and beyond.
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