Philippine Airlines’ 'agressive' route expansion

hilippine Airlines (PAL) has announced an expansion to its route network, with six new destinations in Australia, China and the Middle East.

The carrier will add flights to Kuala Lumpur from 1 May 2013, Brisbane, Darwin, Perth and Guangzhou from 1 June 2013 and Abu Dhabi from 1 October 2013.

The new service to Kuala Lumpur (PR 517) departs Manila every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7:55AM. Manila-Guangzhou (PR 382) flies every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 10:30PM and arrives 12:45AM.

Manila-Darwin (PR 221), departs Manila every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:05PM and arrives Darwin at 4:00AM (next day); Manila-Brisbane (via Darwin) follows the same departure schedule but arrives in Brisbane at 9:20AM (next day). Manila-Perth (PR 219 via Darwin) leaves Manila every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 10:25PM and arrives in Perth at 7:50AM (next day).

PAL’s Abu Dhabi flight (PR 656) departs Manila daily at 4:25PM and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 9:45PM.

PAL president Ramon S. Ang said new routes were selected to meet the “clamour” for more services to the destinations.

“Australia, Kuala Lumpur and Guangzhou are major destinations for business and leisure. Abu Dhabi, on the other hand, has a large concentration of OFWs, making it a prime destination in the Middle East,” he explained.

Tickets for the Kuala Lumpur and Australian routes are on sale now, while tickets to Guangzhou and Abu Dhabi will go on sale from 15 March 2013.

Sourced: etravelblackboard