Philippine Airlines (PAL) cargo revenues soared 72 percent to P4.58 billion ($88.59 million) in the first quarter of 2022 as the economy starts to recover, the flag carrier announced in its recent Cargo Awards Night at the Century Park Hotel.
Coming soon after a 59 percent increase in PAL's cargo business to P15.02 billion in 2021 from P9.43 billion in 2020, the growth indeed indicates a recovering economy and improving business climate, PAL stated.
PAL operated thousands of domestic and international cargo flights to deliver essential goods since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We thank our cargo partners and customers for enabling us to keep part of the critical supply chain flowing, especially at the height of the pandemic," said PAL Vice President for Cargo Business Jason Siy.
"Our freight capacity, route network and aircraft capability enabled us to airlift vital cargo to the Philippines from major cities across the globe and vice versa, while flying goods and essential supplies to our various domestic gateways around the country," he added.
The flag carrier will soon launch a last-mile cargo delivery service for inbound shipments to Manila.
PAL is collaborating with on-demand delivery services and logistics companies for the initial phase of this service.
To date, trial runs are ongoing, according to Siy.