Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have joined forces in a new codeshare partnership. This agreement, set to commence in the fourth quarter of 2023 pending regulatory approvals, aims to expand flight options for passengers traveling between the Philippines and Singapore, and further to various domestic and international destinations.
The partnership will initially focus on flights between Singapore and Manila. Under this agreement, SIA will codeshare on PAL’s flights from Manila to 27 destinations within the Philippines. In a reciprocal arrangement, PAL will codeshare on SIA’s flights to six European destinations: Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Paris, Rome, and Zurich.
These codeshare services, especially to Copenhagen and Milan, mark a historical milestone as they represent the first-ever air links to these cities by a Philippine carrier. PAL also revisits its routes to Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, and Zurich, which it previously operated in the 1980s and 1990s.
Both airlines plan to extend this partnership. Future expansions may include SIA’s flights to additional European destinations, as well as routes to Australia, India, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Captain Stanley K. Ng, President and COO of Philippine Airlines, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the enhanced flight options for Manila-Singapore routes and increased connectivity to several European cities. He emphasized the significance of this partnership in strengthening PAL’s presence in Singapore, a key destination for the airline.
Mr. Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines, also remarked on the benefits of the agreement. He noted that this partnership would facilitate closer collaboration, benefiting customers through enhanced travel connections between Singapore and the Philippines, and extending to key global markets.