PAL readies Taipei-Osaka flights next month

MANILA, Philippines - Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is ready to operate flight services between Taipei in Taiwan and Osaka in Japan by next month.

“PAL is all set to establish the sought-after Osaka-Taipei air link on June 25. This will enable the Japanese market to travel to Taiwan with ease, comfort and convenience,” PAL president Jaime Bautista said in a statement.

The new daily service between the two cities is made possible through fifth freedom rights held by the Philippines.

Fifth freedom refers to the right to pick up passengers from a foreign country and bring them to another country or final destination after flying from country of origin.

PR896 will leave Taipei at 10:10 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday and at 10:20 a.m. every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

The aircraft will arrive in Osaka at 1:55 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday and at 2:05 p.m. on other days of the week. PR897 meanwhile, will depart Osaka at 4:40 p.m. daily and reach Taipei by 7:10 p.m.

PAL will utilize its 199-seater Airbus A321 aircraft for the Taipei-Osaka route.

Through the new service, PAL wants Japanese travelers to experience its inflight service and encourage them to consider going to Manila or any of the domestic and international destinations served by the airline after staying in Taiwan.

Leisure travelers from Taipei may take also advantage of the direct flight to Japan and travel on to Manila or Cebu.

PAL has 10 weekly frequencies between Taipei and Manila and 14 frequencies between Osaka and Manila.

“Our Manila-Taipei-Osaka service provides the convenience of a three-city route. These triangulated flights provide ease of connections and access to ‘beyond-traffic.’ Your flag carrier aims to please as we strive to make passengers experience service that reflects the heart of the Filipino,” Bautista said.

The national carrier currently serves 43 international and 30 domestic destinations.

It is in the process of expanding its network and modernizing its fleet to improve its services to passengers in line with the goal to become a five-star airline from its current three-star rating.