PAL expands summer flights

Philippine Airlines is increasing available capacity on flights to key domestic destinations to accommodate the expected swarm of travelers as the busy summer travel season gets underway.

Starting this weekend and climaxing during the Holy Week, PAL will expand seat offerings by up to 50% on certain high-traffic domestic routes out of Manila.

The daily Cotabato service will be augmented by a second flight every Thursday and Saturday, raising total frequency from seven to nine times weekly.

This will add 282 seats per week, or 29% more capacity, to the only regular air link between Manila and the Central Mindanao hub.

Likewise, frequencies to Dipolog will increase from six to nine flights weekly and to Cagayan de Oro, from 21 to 26 flights weekly.

This will hike capacity by 423 seats (50%) and 705 seats (24%), respectively, on the two Mindanao services.

PAL will also augment its regular services to two popular tourist destinations with special flights during the Holy Week in response to strong market demand.

Extra flights on three days of the week will be added to the daily service to Puerto Princesa, for a capacity increase of 450 seats or 23%.

Kalibo, gateway to the resort island of Boracay, will receive the biggest boost, with the addition of a fourth daily flight for the duration of the Holy Week and a fifth frequency on Easter Sunday (April 15).

As a result, PAL will be offering close to 4,000 seats – an increase of 47% over regular capacity – on the country’s most popular tourist route during the Holy Week.

Meanwhile, PAL advised passengers to check in as early as two hours before their scheduled flight time to minimize the anticipated congestion at the airport during this peak travel season.

PAL’s check-in counters at Centennial Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport are open to serve passengers starting as early as 2:00 A.M. for domestic flights and 4:00 A.M. for international flights, daily.