Philippine Airlines Not Rushing for Alliance, Favours SkyTeam

Many have noted for years the need for Philippine Airlines to join a global airline alliance in order to strengthen its position and give it a competitive edge. However, the discussion has been left with nothing but speculation as onlookers debate which alliance would be most suitable. Last week at the Routes Asia Conference, Philippine Airlines finally revealed a potential candidate.

Image Source: SkyTeam

Following a keynote address at the Routes Asia Conference in Cebu, Philippine Airlines' Vice-President of Sales Ryan Uy shared the positive and negative points of joining one of the three airline alliances, but was quick to note that the airline is in no rush.

“Philippine Airlines is keen to enter an alliance, but we are not in a rush and will take our time," said Uy. "We know that you need to have a sponsor and to be invited to the alliance. Our plan now is to maximise both our international and domestic networks.”

Although many onlookers have been anticipating Star Alliance as the most likely alliance following the 9.5 percent stake purchased in Philippine Airlines by Tokyo-based All Nippon Airways in February, Uy noted that network overlap would be a key decision factor if PAL decided to join any alliance.

According to Uy, while Star Alliance is large, there is a lot of overlap in the region. Meanwhile, oneworlds concentrates on strong carriers in each of the geographic regions it services. "SkyTeam seems to have the least overlap, as they have limited members," noted Uy.

With members such as Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and All Nippon Airways, there is indeed a lot of overlap in the Star Alliance if Philippine Airlines was to join. In addition, other Star Alliance carriers such as Air China, Asiana, and EVA all serve Manila as well making it highly competitive, while minimising potential benefit.

Image Credit: Mark's Liveries
Oneworld does not have as huge a presence in Southeast Asia with Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon, and Japan Airlines leading the charge. This shouldn't close the door for Philippine Airlines, regardless if it is considered a strong carrier or not. Where the problem truly lies is in the overlap with Kuala Lumpur-based Malaysia Airlines.

While SkyTeam may have minimal overlap, it could be well argued whether the alliance is a good match for Philippine Airlines with two other Southeast Asian carriers already in its membership: Vietnam Airlines and Garuda Indonesia. Add in Taiwan based China Airlines and several Chinese carriers and PAL might find itself facing even more competition with less of an advantage.

Image Credit: Mark's Liveries

For now, the relationship Philippine Airlines has with All Nippon Airways is the best chance it has had of gaining an invitation to one of the global alliances that it has had in years. However, whether Philippine Airlines would see sufficient benefit from Star Alliance remains to be seen. The Star Alliance certainly has a strong presence in the US and Canada, which is a major source market for Philippine Airlines and the largest population of Filipinos outside the Philippines. The alliance would offer much value to Filipinos residing in those countries, which would give Philippine Airlines a competitive edge and further connection opportunities to serve the countless Filipinos scattered in all corners of North America.

Philippine Airlines is one of the last remaining legacy carriers that is not yet part of a global airline alliance. It is currently aimed at becoming a Skytrax Five-Star carrier by 2020. By the summer, the airline plans to add capacity with new direct flights to New Delhi, Phnom Penh, and Hanoi, while increasing frequencies on established routes. The carrier is also evaluating a new long-haul destination such as Seattle, Paris, or Rome.

6 comments:

  1. Fight fans are in for a real treat and will be looking forward to what promises to be one of the best matchups of 2019.
    In modern-day boxing, promoters and matchmakers can often flatter to deceive. That said, Canelo Alvarez vs. Daniel Jacobs is a fight that is great for boxing.
    Make no mistake, this one has “fight of the year” written all over it.On May 4,How To Watch Canelo Alvarez vs Jacobs Boxing Betting on the evening of 2019’s Cinco de Mayo celebrations,
    the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will be bouncing with anticipation.
    The Mexican superstar is a powerful, multi-skilled boxer with talent to burn and will enter this fight as the bookmaker’s favorite to beat his American rival.
    In Jacobs, however, he will have to contend with a classy fighter that is arguably the worst matchup for him in the middleweight division.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The format for the tournament will be a single group of 10 teams, with each team playing the other nine once, <a href="https://worldcupcricket.cc/livestream/>Cricket World Cup 2019 Live Stream</a>and the top four at the end of the group phase progressing to the semi-finals. The 10-team tournament has gained criticism due to the lack of Associate teams in the tournament. Given the increase of the Test-playing nations from 10 to 12, with the admission of Ireland and Afghanistan in June 2017, it will be the first World Cup to be contested without all of the Test playing nations being present,[4] and after the elimination of all the Associate teams at the qualifying tournament, this will be also be the first World Cup to feature no Associate members.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Big Book grants modern-day graphic lcd module display answers simplest to distinguish your digital products from your opposition. Our professional product managers artwork element via element at the side of your development engineers to create unique solutions, on budget and within the lead time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The primary hub of Philippine Airlines is Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. It also operates from three secondary hubs: Mactan–Cebu International Airport, Cebu; Francisco Bangoy International Airport, Davao; and Clark International Airport which covers portions of the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat within the Clark Freeport Zone in the province of Pampanga.
    Dictionary Global

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for spreading this knowledge to us. I also write some words about social media marketing services in dubai must visit my page.

    ReplyDelete

Powered by Blogger.