(File photo by Cristina Arayata)
MANILA -- Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Thursday afternoon said it is considering the expansion of its US route, and still offers the London route.
"This is is contrary to some published reports," spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.
At least two reports were published online on June 23, saying PAL is shelving its US and European expansion plans. The reports claimed PAL would launch a Paris route, or perhaps Rome or Frankfurt, to replace its London Heathrow services.
The reports added that PAL has shelved its planned US route expansion to focus instead on its existing North American destinations.
Villaluna clarified on Thursday that while there is market clamor to open new routes to the US and Europe, PAL remains focused on implementing a well-calibrated program centered on network expansion, fleet modernization and service innovation. Opening new routes to the US and Europe are under review, she added.
PAL operates 57 weekly flights to North America (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Vancouver, Honolulu and Toronto), and five weekly flights between Manila and London Heathrow.
Villaluna said PAL is the only airline flying non-stop between the Philippines and the US mainland, Hawaii, Canada and London. (PNA)
