Local airlines ramp up flights for international travel

MANILA, Philippines — Local carriers are ramping up their flights for international travel as borders open up and restrictions ease amid the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Flag-carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said it would resume flights between Manila and Denpasar, Bali starting July 1 as part of its major international expansion coinciding with the reopening of international travel.

PAL will have thrice weekly services between Manila and Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, giving travelers a choice of departure dates every week.

The airline will offer two additional weekly flights beginning Aug. 1, increasing frequencies to five times weekly, before ramping up to daily or seven-times-a-week flights by Oct. 4.

“We are excited to be able to fly leisure and business travelers to Bali, one of the world’s most spectacular and beloved destinations,” PAL vice president for sales Bud Britanico said.

“Philippine Airlines is also happy to offer our Indonesian customers regular nonstop flights from Denpasar, Bali to the wonders of the Philippines and to other destinations in our global network,” Britanico added.

Travelers may connect conveniently with these Bali-bound flights from various domestic points in the Philippines as well as from overseas points served by the flag carrier such as Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Bangkok and Los Angeles, according to the flag-carrier.

PAL serves 30 destinations in the Philippines and 29 overseas destinations in Asia, the United States, Canada, Australia and the Middle East.

The airline said it is keen on gradually reopening flights to key destinations in Southeast Asia, following the easing of restrictions and reopening of borders in various countries.

Meanwhile, low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines resumed flights to Seoul (Incheon), South Korea yesterday.

Seoul is the latest addition to AirAsia Philippines’ recently reactivated international destinations, which also include Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia and Hong Kong, as the airline accelerates its route expansion.

“In 2022, we are aggressive in growing our flight frequency and route network,” AirAsia Philippines spokesman and head of communications and public affairs Steve Dailisan said.

Dailisan noted that the company is at 80 percent of its pre-COVID frequency levels this second quarter.

“We expect to recover fully by the fourth quarter. With additional flights, we expect tremendous growth in our ancillary businesses like baggage, meals and even hot seats. The situation is truly looking up for all lines of businesses in aviation this year,” he said.

Cebu Pacific will be also ramping up its flights to Singapore from two of its largest hubs, Manila and Cebu, by next month.

Cebu Pacific said it would double its daily frequency between Manila and Singapore starting July 1 as it adds a morning schedule option.

On July 15, the budget carrier intends to restart its flights between Cebu and Singapore, beginning with a thrice weekly frequency every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“We are delighted to continue ramping up our international flight frequencies, not only in Manila, but also in Cebu. We know majority of the traveling public have been looking forward to travel internationally again, especially since a lot of countries have eased their restrictions,” Cebu Pacific chief commercial officer Xander Lao said.

Lao added that the company continues to work toward the expansion of its international network while maintaining operating over 100 percent of its pre-pandemic domestic capacity.

Cebu Pacific earlier announced plans to increase its flights to Nagoya, Japan to five times weekly starting June 29, while Manila to Singapore frequency will be doubled to twice daily flights by July 1 and Manila to Dubai flights to 10 times weekly starting July 2.