Route buildup is strategic goal as PAL aims for 5-Star global rating hilippine Airlines (PAL) will further boost its operations at its hubs in Davao, Cebu and Clark, with the scheduled arrival of 15 new aircraft within 2018, and another six (6) aircraft in 2019. Now an internationally-certified 4-Star airline, PAL announced a multi-hub expansion strategy that aims to improve domestic and international connections, while spreading the benefits of tourism and commercial activity to the various regions in Mindanao, the Visayas and Luzon. New routes and hikes in flight frequencies are being introduced as the flag carrier accepts delivery of five (5) additional Next-Generation Bombardier Q400s and six (6) new Airbus A321neos starting in May 2018, along with four Airbus A350-900 trans-oceanic aircraft starting in June 2018. “We are no longer just a Manila-centric airline,” said PAL President & and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Jaime J. Bautista. “Our new aircraft and our new hubs are a winning combination that will help expand our market reach both domestically and worldwide. This is imperative for a global airline, and we must sustain and build on our hard-won 4-Star rating.” PAL’s 2018 expansion includes the following new routes: • Davao-Surigao, starting with four weekly flights from last March 25 • Manila non-stop to New York (John F. Kennedy Airport) from October 28 • Manila non-stop to New Delhi and Mumbai (Bombay) in India by last quarter of 2018 • Manila to Sapporo (Chitose) in Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, by last quarter of 2018 The new routes to India are PAL’s response to the call of DOT Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo for a direct link to India, a potentially rich producer of future tourist visitors to the Philippines. PAL is also assessing the request of DOT Secretary Teo to...... Read more on Full Issue!