PAL to double chartered flights

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) plans to double its chartered flights, driven by the growing number of Chinese visiting the country.

In a press briefing for the Philippine Travel Agencies Association’s 25th Travel and Tour Expo, PAL assistant vice president for passenger sales-Philippines Antonio Herrera said the flag carrier is in the process of adding chartered flights.

„We just started our chartered flights several years ago. It’s not big, but it’s growing,“ Herrera said.

Last year, PAL operated several scheduled chartered flights from China to Kalibo and other domestic destinations.

PAL also operated chartered flights from China to Puerto Princesa in Palawan and Bohol.

Herrera said PAL continues to receive interest for chartered flights from the Chinese market.

“China is very aggressive with chartered flights especially to Caticlan, to the Visayas region,” Herrera said.

The Philippines saw an influx of Chinese tourists in 2017, driven by the Visa Upon Arrival (VUA) option for Chinese Nationals as well as the improved diplomatic ties between the two countries.

From January to October 2017, Chinese arrivals reached 810,807, representing 14.81 percent of the total arrivals.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo earlier disclosed that several Chinese charter operators had expressed interest in mounting flights to the country.

Last September, the Department of Tourism inked an agreement with Chengdu-based charter operator Hanglv International Travel Group to further boost the route between mainland China and Manila.

Herrera said PAL is also open to accepting chartered flights from other countries to help promote tourism.