Travelers, OFWs, and aviation enthusiasts are buzzing with excitement as Philippine Airlines (PAL) recently revealed plans to resume its Europe flights by 2025. The airline had to end its only Europe flight, a direct Manila to London route, in 2021 due to the pandemic. Now, with things looking up, PAL sees a promising opportunity in Europe, allowing them to broaden their global network. But the big question is, which destinations in Europe will PAL likely fly to?
A Look Back at PAL’s European Connections
PAL had a robust presence in Europe before the Asian financial crisis in 1997. They operated flights to various European cities using Boeing 747-200s and McDonnell Douglas DC-10s, including Rome, Madrid, London Gatwick, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Zurich, Paris, and Athens. Most of these flights ended in 1997. PAL resumed its London Heathrow flights in 2016, but the pandemic took its toll, and the airline had to end its only direct Europe flight in 2021.
Not all hope is lost, as PAL’s new President and COO Capt. Stanley Ng took charge in 2022 with a strong vision of restoring the “Golden Days of PAL.” He aims to make it one of the best airlines in Asia once again. It’s a challenging task, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted air travel. But the vision is robust, and new routes are on the agenda, along with new planes and improved product offerings.
Fleet Assessment
In June 2023, PAL sealed a deal with Airbus for nine A350-1000s, reinforcing Capt. Ng’s dream of reviving flights to Europe. PAL has stated that these planes will have 380 seats and will be akin to Qantas’ A350-1000s, known for their higher gross weight. This design will enable the airline to accommodate more passengers without losing range.
Additionally, this will allow some Boeing 777-300ERs to operate on European routes while they wait for A350-1000s to take their place once they have all arrived.
Additionally, PAL’s existing two A350-900s will naturally complement the A350-1000s. But I suspect that these won’t be the only planes that PAL will acquire. With a vision focused on sustainability and environmentally friendly operations, they are likely hard at work in the planning stages, considering new aircraft to replace the aging A330s and enhance PAL’s flexibility in serving various destinations.
From my personal perspective, the Boeing 787-9 could offer PAL greater adaptability in reaching European and U.S. destinations from secondary hubs like Mactan Cebu International Airport and Clark International Airport. Capable of carrying fewer than 290 passengers in a 3-class configuration, the Boeing 787 would allow the airline to run efficiently on long-haul routes with moderate passenger traffic. It could be the ideal aircraft for low-season flights, offering better range and payload than the A330neo, even though it’s not as large as the A350-900. More A350-900s, specially configured for both medium and long-range flights, could be a perfect match for the A350-1000s. These planes might also be used for Middle Eastern flights. Still, I believe that the A330neo could be the best fit for PAL’s Middle East needs, allowing them to transport more passengers and compete more effectively with Middle Eastern airlines by providing more affordable fares.
Predicting PAL’s European Destinations
While there’s no final word, here’s a humble forecast of the Europe destinations PAL may fly to, based on my personal assessment:
- London Heathrow: Despite ending flights in 2021, London remains a top choice, with many Filipinos traveling between Manila and London.
- Milan, Italy: With numerous OFWs seeking a direct connection between Italy and the Philippines, Milan could be a well-served route.
- Rome, Italy: A top destination for Filipino tourists and OFWs, Rome offers potential for a direct connection.
- Brussels, Belgium: Discussions between Philippine officials and Brussels Airport CEO hint at the possibility of direct flights between Manila and Brussels.
- Paris, France: With plans to enhance student exchange programs and a strong OFW presence, Paris could be a viable destination.
Moving Forward with Excitement
These forecasts are merely personal predictions, and it’s best to await an official announcement from PAL. The journey ahead will be challenging, but not impossible. PAL is still recovering from the pandemic’s effects and other challenges, but they are taking strategic steps towards recovery. The sight of the Philippine flag in European airports once again is eagerly anticipated, and the future looks bright for PAL’s European endeavors.
How about you? Which destinations in Europe do you wish PAL would fly to?
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
