Philippine Airlines (PAL) expands its Asia routes with new routes to Hanoi (Vietnam), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and New Delhi (India) from its Manila hub, starting this summer season.
This latest expansion by the award-winning flag carrier creates the first direct air link between the Philippines and the capital of Cambodia, expands PAL’s existing Vietnam network and reestablishes a historic link to India with immense potential for tourism development.
“Philippine Airlines’ strategic vision is to make the Philippines a true gateway to Asia. We are the Southeast Asian airline with the biggest and most extensive network of direct flights to the US and Canada, and thus we can be the leader in carrying North American travelers to India, Cambodia and Vietnam via our Manila hub,” emphasized PAL President and COO Jaime J. Bautista. “We will leverage Manila’s excellent geographical location as an ideal stopover point for people flying to Southeast and South Asia from the East and West Coasts of North America.”
“Vietnam and Cambodia are emerging markets and economic centers that need connections to the rest of the world. We are excited to introduce their excellent tourist attractions to more and more Western travelers, including Filipino Americans,” added Mr. Bautista. “PAL also looks forward to serving the many ethnic Vietnamese and Cambodian people who are now US and Canadian citizens.”
As the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi offers a harmonious fusion of East and West, combining etnamese and French cultures reflected in its heritage architecture and world-renowned cuisine. Vietnam has posted among the highest economic growth records in Southeast Asia, fueling an increase in overseas travel by its own citizens.
Phnom Penh is an emerging tourist mecca noted for its vibrant street life, arts scene, museums and historical Khmer architecture, including its famed Royal Palace. The capital city’s newly expanded airport serves as a gateway to Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and other popular destinations in the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Flights between Manila and Hanoi will operate four times weekly (Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday) starting March 31, 2019, with PR 595 departing at 10:25 PM and arriving at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport at 12:45AM the following day. Return flights via PR 596 leave Hanoi every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 1:45AM and touch down in Manila at 5:30AM
Flights between Manila and Phnom Penh will operate five times weekly (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday) starting April 1, 2019, with PR 521 departing at 10:10PM and arriving at Phnom Penh International Airport at 11:45PM. Return flights via PR 522 leave Phnom Penh every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 12:45AM and touch down in Manila at 4:20AM.
PAL will maintain its current 8 weekly flights between Manila and Vietnam’s commercial hub, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), a city served by the flag carrier since the mid-1980s.
PAL is targeting April 2019 as the start of the New Delhi service subject to final slot and operational clearances with the Indian authorities. The new route is slated to run four times weekly nonstop between Manila and New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport using brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft.
Said PAL President Bautista: “India is the air travel growth market of the future and a new economic power, so our link to Delhi improves the Philippines’ connectivity with the global economy. We are enthusiastic about our new Delhi route because, for the first time, we have the right-sized aircraft for the Indian market. Our Airbus A321neo’s long-range capability makes direct nonstop flights possible, and this new plane features 168 seats configured specially for long-haul travel, making the 6 hour and 50 minutes Manila-Delhi flight more comfortable and pleasant.”
The A321neo also offers passengers full-flat business class seats, generous legroom and the latest in entertainment systems and Wi-Fi connectivity. The aircraft is also flying nonstop to Sydney, Brisbane, Port Moresby and Sapporo at present. For Hanoi and Phnom Penh, PAL will utilize a 156-seater Airbus A320 and a 199-seater Airbus A321 Classic.
