Philippine Airlines Expands Routes for Festive Season, Boosts Connectivity

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Airlines (PAL), the country’s flag carrier, has unveiled a series of operational updates to accommodate increased travel demand during the Sinulog Festival and Chinese New Year celebrations. The airline’s president and chief operating officer, Capt. Stanley K. Ng, announced new routes and increased flight frequencies to key destinations, both domestically and internationally.

Starting Dec. 3, 2024, PAL launched thrice-weekly flights between Clark and Siargao, and revived its Cebu-Osaka Kansai route on Dec. 22. Seasonal routes, including Cebu-Seoul-Incheon and Clark-Seoul, were introduced to cater to travelers from Dec. 21 to March 4. Additionally, a daily Manila-Cauayan route began on Jan. 15, 2025, offering Northern Luzon residents a faster alternative to the usual 10-hour land journey.

Internationally, PAL expanded its presence with daily flights from Brisbane and a newly launched Seattle service. High-demand regional routes, such as Manila-Tokyo Narita, Manila-Bangkok, and Manila-Singapore, will see more wide-body aircraft deployed to meet passenger demand.

Domestically, PAL operated 74 additional flights during the holiday season, serving routes from Manila to cities like Davao, Bacolod, and Tacloban, as well as between Cebu and destinations including Siargao, Caticlan, and Puerto Princesa.

Beyond its operational updates, PAL has been recognized for its storytelling through its short film “Alaga” (Care), which highlights the heartfelt service of its crew and staff. The film, showcasing acts of genuine care and Filipino hospitality, earned a spot among Campaign Asia’s Best Christmas Ads of 2024. Building on this success, PAL released “Sorpresa” (Surprise), a new film celebrating family, love, and the joy of rekindled dreams, accompanied by the classic Filipino song “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko” (Even When My Hair Turns White).

These initiatives underscore PAL’s commitment to connecting people and creating meaningful moments across generations, staying true to its tagline, “The Heart of the Filipino.”