Turkish Airlines Enters Codeshare Agreement with Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines has announced that it will begin code-sharing with Turkish Airlines beginning on July 1. The new code-share agreement will enable both flag carrier to access new markets, while offering their passengers increased connectivity and travel options.

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Turkish Airlines is currently the only carrier operating direct flights between Manila and Istanbul with three flights per week. As part of the new agreement, Philippine Airlines will add its flight code to the three weekly flights. 

Initially, Turkish Airlines will begin selling connecting flights from Manila to Cebu and Davao, as it adds its flight code to select Manila to Cebu and Manila to Davao flights operated by Philippine Airlines. 

As frequencies increase between the two countries, both carriers plan to expand their codeshare agreement. The Philippines and Turkey recently signed a new air services agreement, which will enable carriers from both countries to operate up to seven flights per week each between Manila and Istanbul.

Turkish Airlines revealed recently that it intends to operate daily flights to Manila beginning in October of this year. As the codesharing agreement expands, travellers will be able to enjoy increased connectivity and greater travel flexibility between the two countries and each carrier's network. Both carriers want to increase tourism and business travel between both nations.

According to Philippine Airlines President Jaime Bautista, this agreement is the first step in fulfilling the goal of increase travel between both countries. "We're delighted to partner with one of the world's leading carriers, Turkish Airlines," said Bautista. "For starters, this agreement enables both partner-carriers to further boost tourism and business travel between Istanbul and Manila, and the beyond Manila routes."

Turkish Airlines recently ranked fourth in the list of the World's Top 100 Airlines at the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards at the Paris Airshow. Passengers of Philippine Airlines will be able to take advantage of Turkish Airlines' extensive network from its hub in Istanbul, which connects travellers to more than 226 destinations around the world.

Turkey's geographic location between Europe and Asia, makes it an ideal connecting point and gateway to the rest of Europe. Expanding on this new codeshare relationship with Turkish Airlines to grow the Philippine Airlines network in Europe is a far more sensible approach to expansion, rather than the previous risky direction of the San Miguel Group, which was to expand to several European cities utilising Philippine Airlines aircraft.

According to Turkish Airlines CEO Temel Kotil, the Turkish carrier sees enormous opportunity with the new partnership. "We are extremely pleased to sign this codeshare agreement with Philippine Airlines and aim to improve our partnership to maximise the travel opportunities with Philippine Airlines and aim to improve our partnership to maximise the travel opportunities offered to our passengers through the networks of both airlines," said Kotil. "Additionally, we believe that this partnership with Philippine Airlines will bring enormous benefit to both airlines from a commercial perspective in rapidly growing relationships between our countries."

Turkish Airlines becomes the ninth international code share partner for Philippine Airlines. Code share agreements were recently signed by Philippine Airlines with WestJet, Etihad Airlines, and All Nippon Airways.

Under the new air service agreement between Turkey and the Philippines, Philippine Airlines will also have the opportunity to expand its network in Europe through fifth freedom rights. PAL is currently considering the possibility of launching a new flight to Frankfurt via Istanbul. Frankfurt is currently the busiest international route from Istanbul. Philippine Airlines is also considering service to Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines is eager to expand its codeshare agreement with Garuda Indonesia. According to Bautista, Philippine Airlines is in discussions with Garuda Indonesia to expand the existing code sharing relationship, which is currently limited to flights from Manila to Bali and Jakarta.