PAL launches flights to Haneda

FILE PHOTO

SAN FRANCISCO—Philippine Airlines (PAL) will start flying from Manila to Haneda twice a day starting March 30 complementing its thrice a day service to Narita for travelers to and from Japan.

Haneda, also known as Tokyo International Airport, is one of the two premier airports servicing the Greater Tokyo Area. It is considered the world’s most slot-restrictive airport and a prime business hub.

Haneda becomes PAL’s fifth gateway to Japan, following Narita, Fukuoka, Osaka and Nagoya and making the flag carrier the biggest Philippine operator to and from Japan with 47 flights a week.

PAL currently operates 21 weekly flights to Narita, fives times a week to Fukuoka, seven to Nagoya and seven to Osaka.

PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang said, “The new service makes PAL the exclusive operator on the Haneda-Manila route. This route forms part of PAL’s network expansion aimed at providing our passengers more and better choices.”

Haneda airport, around 30 minutes from the Tokyo metropolis, has one domestic and two international passenger terminals and connects conveniently to the Tokyo monorail.

Along with the route expansion, PAL is upgrading its in-flight menu with the introduction of Bento Box meals on all flights to and from Japan.

The new in-flight menu, designed and prepared by the airline’s experienced culinary team, provides passengers a wider selection of Japanese dishes to choose from.

The flag carrier is expanding its presence in Japan in response to a strong market demand even as PAL continues to reinforce its warm and hospitable in-flight service.

Japan provides a significant passenger market to the Philippines, being the third-biggest source of tourist visitors to the country.

In 2012 alone, Japanese tourist arrivals reached 412,000. The country is also a prime tourist destination for Filipinos, with its trend-setting culture, superb cuisine, and historical sites.