PAL keen on US expansion, retaining flights to London

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is keen on expanding its US network as well as sustaining its services to London, the company said yesterday.

In a statement, PAL said it continues to review and consider possible expansion of new routes in its US network, and also continues its services to London.

“While there is market clamor for the opening of new routes to the US and Europe and these are under review, PAL remains focused on implementing a wellcalibrated program centered on network expansion, fleet modernization and service innovation,” PAL said.

The flag carrier operates 57 weekly long-haul frequencies to North America, specifically to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Vancouver, Honolulu and Toronto, and five weekly flights between Manila and London Heathrow.

PAL is the only airline flying non-stop between the Philippines and the US mainland, Hawaii, Canada and London.

PAL said its non-stop USManila flights remain highly popular for business and leisure travelers and Filipino balikbayans.

Think tank CAPA-Centre for Aviation in a report last month said PAL is considering suspending services to London Heathrow and replace it with a Paris flight instead.

CAPA said London is the carrier’s least profitable long haul route and has struggled since it was launched in November 2013, with losses mounting despite efforts to improve the route’s performance through changes implemented in schedule, frequency, and aircraft.

CAPA said PAL has also dropped plans to expand its US network after previously considering launching services from Manila to Chicago, Houston, San Diego or Seattle, as well as potentially resuming Cebu to Los Angeles route which it briefly served in 2016 and 2017.