Philippine Airlines (PAL) is set to enhance its international network by introducing two new codeshare routes, connecting Manila to Kaohsiung and Cebu to Taipei, in partnership with China Airlines.
The expanded codeshare arrangement aims to offer greater connectivity and convenience to travelers from the Philippines to Taiwan and vice versa. The move comes as both carriers look to promote the development of air travel between the two regions.
Starting this month, PAL will commence four times weekly codeshare services between Manila and Kaohsiung. Flights PR 3300/CI 712 will depart Manila at 10:00 AM, arriving in Kaohsiung at 11:55 AM local time, every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. On the return leg, flights PR 3301/CI 711 will depart Kaohsiung at 07:15 AM and arrive in Manila at 09:00 AM, operating on the same days. China Airlines will operate these flights utilizing Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
Furthermore, PAL will launch five times weekly codeshare services between Cebu and Taipei. Flights PR 3302/CI 706 will depart Cebu at 12:05 PM, arriving at Taipei Taoyuan Airport at 3:00 PM every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. The return flights, PR 3303/CI 705, will depart Taipei at 8:10 AM and land at Mactan-Cebu International Airport at 11:05 AM, operating on the same days. The Cebu-Taipei route will be operated by China Airlines utilizing Airbus A321neo aircraft.
Bud Britanico, PAL Vice President for Sales, expressed the airline’s enthusiasm for serving the growing demand for travel to Taiwan facilitated by the ongoing visa-free arrangement for Filipino tourists. “We will build on our strong partnership with China Airlines to offer more convenient access for Filipino tourists to visit Taiwan, even as we welcome Taiwanese tourists to come and visit the fun and festive Philippines,” Britanico said. He added that Cebu and Kaohsiung are appealing destinations for business and leisure travelers.
China Airlines’ Vice President of Corporate Development Office, Jeremy Chang, highlighted the airline’s focus on the Filipino market as part of their effort to expand their Southeast Asia network. “The codeshare expansion with PAL not only strengthens collaboration between the two airlines but also promotes business and tourism between the two regions,” Chang stated.
The newly offered services complement the existing PAL/China Airlines codeshare partnership on the Manila-Taipei and Taipei-Manila routes. Each airline operates 14 weekly flights on these routes, further enhancing travel opportunities between the Philippines and Taiwan.
Taiwan’s visa-free policy for Filipinos aims to attract at least 320,000 Filipino tourists annually, while the Philippine Department of Tourism is targeting to welcome 200,000 Taiwanese visitors annually to the Philippines.
In addition to the passenger services, the codeshare agreement grants China Airlines access to PAL’s domestic network, allowing the airline to place its “CI” code on select PAL-operated flights between Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo. This facilitates travel for passengers between Taiwan and these Philippine cities.
The codeshare partnership between PAL and China Airlines has been in place since 2015, solidifying their collaboration as full-service airlines catering to the needs of Filipino and Taiwanese travelers. By introducing these new codeshare routes, both carriers seek to strengthen ties and boost air travel and connectivity between the two regions.
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