PAL eyeing potential international flights from Cebu

CEBU, Philippines – Flag carrier Philippine Airlines is consistently looking at the potential international routes it will open from Cebu, seen to become a major air hub in the country in the future.

In a recent interview with PAL president and COO Jaime Bautista, he said the airline is currently working on market evaluations for international routes that it may open from Cebu in the future.

He said Cebu is a key market in the company's route buildup.

The executive also hinted the Lucio Tan-led carrier may revive its Cebu-Los Angeles flights in the future with the delivery of new aircraft.

PAL's Cebu hub includes direct flights to 16 domestic and seven international destinations.

It was May 30 last year when PAL temporarily suspended its Cebu-Los Angeles-Cebu service, saying it was rationalizing capacity on the route. It had said it was implementing certain operational adjustments.

PAL is the only Filipino carrier operating flights to the USA. It continues to operate 25 flights per week between Manila and the US mainland - twice daily to Los Angeles, daily to San Francisco and four times a week to New York. PAL also operates daily to Guam and five times a week to Honolulu.

It was in December 2016 when the airline firm first introduced the Cebu-Los Angeles service.

Moreover, Bautista also said the company is quite challenged of mounting direct flights from Cebu to Hong Kong, citing congestion and slot issues in Hong Kong International Airport.

The COO was asked about the possibility of PAL offering Cebu-Hong Kong direct flights considering the big Chinese population in Cebu and the increasing Chinese tourists here.

Bautista said the country’s flag-carrier will be able to fly more routes with the delivery of new airplanes.

PAL is targeting to ferry up to 17 million passengers this year with its existing fleet of 85 aircraft.

The official said the flag carrier is aiming to have 100 aircraft and a five-star rating by 2020.

"More routes will open as we take delivery of new airplanes," Bautista said.

PAL currently serves a total of 76 destinations in four continents.