Philippine Airlines (PAL), the country’s flag carrier, is exploring the possibility of adding a new direct flight from Manila to a yet-undisclosed city on the US West Coast. PAL President and COO Stanley Ng hinted at this development during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.
Although Ng refrained from specifying the exact city, he expressed optimism about the expansion, citing ongoing evaluations and dependency on aircraft availability. “We are considering launching an additional destination in the US. It’s still under study,” Ng stated.
The United States is a significant market for PAL, with existing direct flights connecting Manila to New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, and Guam. Ng noted that the recent entry of United Airlines into the Philippines-US route has not adversely impacted PAL’s load factors. “Despite the increased competition, the demand continues to outpace the supply,” he explained.
PAL’s immediate focus on the US market means that plans for European expansion are temporarily on hold. The airline, like many others, faces challenges due to ongoing supply chain issues, limiting the addition of new flights. However, Ng remains hopeful for 2025, anticipating the arrival of new aircraft like the Airbus 350-1000, which could facilitate long-haul flights to more destinations.
Meanwhile, PAL is not slowing down on its global strategy. The airline recently expanded its codeshare agreement with Singapore Airlines, adding flights to European cities like Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Paris, Rome, and Zurich.