Philippine Airlines Returns to Middle East
After a fifteen year absence, Philippine Airlines has finally returned to the Middle East with its initial route between Manila and Abu Dhabi being launched on October 1.
The service was operated by one of PAL's brand new Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent engines, the aircraft seats 414 passengers. The aircraft is the newest member of the Philippine Airlines fleet having arrived in Manila on September 28 direct from the Airbus factory in France. Philippine Airlines will be expecting an additional four of the aircraft before the end of 2013.
Ramon Ang, President of PAL, is hopeful that the expansion into the Middle East will just be the first step in a much wider global expansion. "The return of PAL to the Middle East will not only offer Filipino workers the most direct link to the Philippines, but also provide travellers convenient connections with PAL's extensive international and domestic route network from our hub in Manila," said Ang.
The flights to Abu Dhabi will operate five times per week. Philippine Airlines plans on continuing its expansion into the Middle East by adding four other routes by the end of 2013. PAL Express will begin its first ever long haul flight on November 6 as it operates a route between Manila and Dubai in direct competition with Cebu Pacific. Like Cebu Pacific, PAL Express will also be using a brand new Airbus A330-300 wide body jet.
Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines will add Doha, Qatar to its schedule in November along with Riyadh and Dammam in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia beginning in December.
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| Copyright Photo: Ian Gabriel/PPSG |
Ramon Ang, President of PAL, is hopeful that the expansion into the Middle East will just be the first step in a much wider global expansion. "The return of PAL to the Middle East will not only offer Filipino workers the most direct link to the Philippines, but also provide travellers convenient connections with PAL's extensive international and domestic route network from our hub in Manila," said Ang.
The flights to Abu Dhabi will operate five times per week. Philippine Airlines plans on continuing its expansion into the Middle East by adding four other routes by the end of 2013. PAL Express will begin its first ever long haul flight on November 6 as it operates a route between Manila and Dubai in direct competition with Cebu Pacific. Like Cebu Pacific, PAL Express will also be using a brand new Airbus A330-300 wide body jet.
Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines will add Doha, Qatar to its schedule in November along with Riyadh and Dammam in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia beginning in December.
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