Travel time between Manila and Perth will be significantly reduced starting March 2020 as flag carrier Philippine Airlines is set to introduce its first ever flights to Western Australia.PAL said in a statement that flying time between the two cities will be at least four hours shorter, with other carriers requiring a stopover or a connecting flight in Australia.
PAL said Manila-Perth will operate four times per week starting March 30 next year.
“We are thrilled to welcome Perth to our network,” PAL chief sales and chief marketing officer Eugene C. Go said on Tuesday.
“Our pioneer nonstop flights will allow us to vigorously promote the Philippines as a top-notch tourist experience for residents of Western Australia, and we look forward to extending our gracious Filipino hospitality to them from the moment they step on board our brand-new planes flown by our experienced professional crew,” Go added.
PAL said it will deploy its Airbus A321neo aircraft on the Manila-Perth-Manila route.
The aircraft can carry 168 passengers—12 in business class and 156 economy seats.
The plan will boost PAL’s presence in Australia, where it has the largest network coming from the Philippines.
Perth is PAL’s fourth Australian gateway, joining Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, all of which are served with nonstop flights using Airbus A330 and A321neo aircraft. –MIGUEL R. CAMUS INQ