PAL, US airlines explore code sharing arrangement

PAL, the country’s premier flag carrier, and major American carriers are exploring  possible code sharing arrangement to further boost direct air travel between the Philippines and the US.

PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Capt. Stanley Ng said in a chance interview with Manila Bulletin Business at the 18th Go Negosyo Anniversary celebration Monday, Nov. 27, that PAL and United Airlines did initially discuss possible collaboration during an event in Turkey several months ago. But, there is no ongoing discussion between the two at present.

Ng said that code sharing “offers flexibility for our customers.”   

While healthy competition is good, he stressed that partnerships with major US airlines would be a lot better for the airlines. 

The idea is rather than fight for market, Ng said it would be better to promote the country to attract more tourists and benefit from the big pie.

Ng, however, said that the recent foray of United for a direct non-stop US-Philippine flights have not affected their passenger volume in the third quarter because of the high-volume demand. 

The first-ever nonstop flight by a US carrier from continental US to the flights commenced on October 30 from San Francisco. It carried 325 passengers to Manila and 334 passengers back to San Francisco. 

The US has always been PAL’s bread and butter. The flag carrier operates 32 weekly flights between Manila and US cities. 

Of the 32 weekly flights, PAL operates 14 flights weekly between Manila and Los Angeles; seven weekly between Manila and San Francisco;  four flights weekly between Manila and New York; five flights weekly between Manila and Honolulu; and two flights weekly between Manila and Guam.

For its presence in Europe, the 44-year-old PAL leader hinted they may likely consider Paris for its direct connection to Europe because of the visa issue. He said it will take between eight to 10 months of preparation to mount a new direct flight to Europe. 

PAL used to fly Manila-London-Manila direct, but UK has a separate visa compared to the Schengen visa which applies to all other EU countries.   

Individually though, he said, the UK still has the biggest volume but as a whole, the entire Schengen visa countries would account for the biggest. 

Aside from France, PAL is also looking at other potential countries for direct flights, such as Italy, Belgium, and Spain. 

For now, he said, Filipino travelers to Europe have the flexibility to also book with its partners - Singapore Airlines and Emirates - with stop-over in Singapore and Dubai, respectively. 

But, the US will remain its biggest revenue generator because it is closer than Europe. “Geographically, we have an advantage,” he said.