Philippine Airlines Planning Flights to Israel

Philippine Airlines has revealed in a publicly released statement that it is seeking regulatory approval to launch direct flights to Israel following the signing of a new air agreement last month between the two countries. 
philippine airlines israel
Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG
Officials from Israel and the Philippines expressed mutual interest earlier this year in building tourism and trade between the two countries. On December 9, an application was submitted to the Civil Aeronautics Board requesting for 14 frequencies between Tel Aviv, Israel and Manila. The hearing for the application is scheduled for January 21, 2014.

Israel and the Philippines established a new air agreement last month that resulted in permission for 21 new weekly flights to any point between the two countries. The last time an air agreement was forged between the Philippines and Israel was in 1951. Philippine Airlines last flew to Israel between the 1950's and 1960's.

A new flight between Israel and the Philippines may also open new flights to India and Spain as well. Fifth freedom rights were included as part of the successful round of negotiations permitting Philippine Airlines to fly to Mumbai, India to pick up and unload passengers before proceeding to Israel. In addition, an option exists to unload and pick up passengers in Israel before continuing on to Madrid, Spain.

Following the lifting of the ban that permits Philippine Airlines to mount flights to Europe once again, PAL President Ramon Ang identified a number of European cities that he intended to serve including Madrid, Spain. The option also exists for Philippine Airlines to make a stop over in Israel en route to other countries. This means that Philippine Airlines could fly passengers to Tel Aviv and drop them off before continuing on to places like Rome or Frankfurt.

Most recently, Philippine Airlines resumed operations in Saudi Arabia on December 3 with the first non-stop flight between Manila and Dammam. Last month, PAL returned to Europe after an absence of 15 years with direct flights to London's Heathrow Airport. Philippine Airlines has indicated that it plans to serve Rome, Amsterdam, and Paris in 2014.

8 comments:

  1. It's interesting that PAL is seeking such rights. We understand that the London service is currently operating at 40%. At that rate, it will not be sustainable. How can PAL imagine that a route between Manila and Tel Aviv will do any better or even be sustainable?
    One questions the wisdom and foresight of those currently running PAL.

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    1. Add to that the issue of acquiring 4 used A340-300's from Iberia. Arlines are divesting themselves of the A340's because of the cost of operating them. Why did PAL go for an aircraft that others are dropping? And why didn't PAL seek new, more fuel efficient aircraft? As you say, the wisdom of those at PAL seems dubious at best.

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    2. Maybe you are better equipped than those running PAL right now because it seems you know everything and can easily question there decision making at PAL ....They should HIRE you ,send them your resume and maybe you will be the answer to their long running trouble at PAL. Instead of writing and giving unsolicited advice to them ....and just wasting your talent or you maybe just any other " know everything person " who thinks ,knows everything about the airline industry just by reading new clips and unofficial statistics form blog or websites....

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    3. Jose sounds sour grapes upon hearing some cold, hard facts.

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    4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. pal uses the 4 A340 plane from iberia to fly to lax without the FAA knowing it.. thats the reason in buying or leasing old A340 from iberia.. these have the same models with pals old A340

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  3. PAL leased not acquired 340 from Iberia bcoz of 2 reason...first to replace the 25 yr old 747 used for US routes since they can't utilize 777 bcoz of the category 2 status..second to support the route expansion until the complete delivery of newly acquired new variant of 330...

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    1. Sadly, the new A330's appear to be configured in all economy set up, similar to sardine class. They will not appeal to travelers other than contract workers on long haul routes.

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