For those who have been eagerly waiting, Philippine Airlines (PAL) is considering the revival of flights to Europe as part of their efforts to rebuild international routes that were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. PAL President and Chief Executive Officer Stanley Ng said, “We’re still in the process of gathering data, and we’re also partnering with the Department of Tourism to look at which is the best route to fly to Europe.”
However, Ng mentioned that PAL’s return to Europe would depend on the delivery of aircraft, as the flag carrier had returned several to lessors due to the pandemic. In 2013, PAL resumed nonstop flights to London after a 15-year absence but decided to stop flying to Heathrow in March 2021 due to commercial reasons. Special flights to and from London were still mounted from August to October 2021.
In 2012, PAL had plans to fly to a few destinations in Europe, including London and Frankfurt. However, only the London route pushed through in 2013.
PAL is also considering placing an order for more long-haul aircraft, with the Airbus A350-1000 emerging as a top contender. The airline still has six options for A350 frames.
Flights Between Manila and Perth
This week, PAL inaugurated flights to and from Manila and Perth, marking its first international route after the pandemic severely impacted the global aviation industry. “We are optimistic about the growth prospects for a Perth-Manila service. We hope to stimulate travel flows in both directions, so we may build up to more weekly flights eventually,” said Ng.
With Perth now joining Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane as PAL’s fourth Australian gateway, the airline is set to expand its presence in the region. All of these destinations are served with nonstop flights using Airbus A330 and A321neo aircraft.
As PAL carefully studies the possibility of reviving its European routes, the focus remains on rebuilding its international network after the challenges brought by the pandemic. With continued optimism, strategic planning, and strong partnerships with the Department of Tourism and other stakeholders, PAL aims to reconnect with European destinations and provide more options for travelers.
Keep an eye on this space for updates on PAL’s exciting plans for European routes, as well as other developments in the airline’s ongoing efforts to recover and grow in the post-pandemic world.
Source: Manila Times
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