Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is all set to fly to Saipan twice a week starting June 15 this year to serve the needs of Filipinos based in the largest island of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.
Saipan is the latest addition to PAL’s route network, which also expanded to Doha, Jeddah, and Kuwait this year, as well as Port Moresby, Cairns, Auckland, Jinjiang, and New York last year. PAL has also introduced its newest link to the US mainland via the Cebu-Los Angeles service that commenced last March 15, the airline’s 75th founding anniversary.
PAL said its goal is to address the clamor for new routes in order to best serve the needs of the market. As it taps new markets and builds on existing ones, the airline aims to ensure connectivity across the route network by providing the required flight frequencies and schedules.
PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista in a statement said that close to 36% of Saipan’s population—or about 22,000—are Filipinos, and “the planned flights will provide them a convenient link to their home country.”
“Travelers from Manila can fly to Saipan and enjoy some sun and sea as well as various forms of nature adventure. On the other hand, Saipan residents may now experience the PAL brand of service and enjoy the Capital City (Manila) for a few days before flying to other parts of the archipelago or to other points within PAL’s wide international network,” Bautista added.
The forthcoming service will further beef up PAL’s network, currently with 43 international and 29 domestic destinations. With a travel time of 4 hours and 15 minutes, the twice-weekly service to Saipan will utilize the bi-class A320 seater (12 business/144 economy seats).
PR 1571 departs Manila every Wednesday and Sunday at 9:20 p.m. and arrives in Saipan at 3:35 a.m. local time. PR 1572 then departs Saipan every Monday and Thursday at 4:35 a.m. and arrives in Manila at 6:45 a.m.
PAL on CAAP labor protest
Meanwhile, PAL called for the peaceful and immediate resolution of the brewing labor unrest at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
The CAAP labor union is conducting a peaceful protest over the recent suspension of its members’ salary increases and bonuses, specifically of the technical staff. Streamers bearing the distress call “Mayday Mayday” are now up at 23 air control towers all over the country.
“We are hoping for a swift and acceptable solution to the ongoing labor issues within the ranks of the CAAP. We express optimism that a resolution will be reached in due time. We are glad to note that technical personnel such as air traffic controllers continue to carry out their duties,” Bautista said.
PAL warned, however, that a long drawn-out conflict between CAAP labor and management and protest actions over salaries and bonuses, even if peaceful, will paint a negative picture of the country’s aviation industry.
“It is important to protect the Philippines’ return to Category 1 status, a reflection of the country’s compliance to international safety standards set by the ICAO or International Civil Aviation Organization. Any perception of disunity in the civil aviation sector may affect the status the country has earned,” Bautista pointed out. ICAO in 2013 lifted significant safety concerns in the country, paving the way for the European Union’s lifting of air ban in the Philippines and the US Federal Aviation Agency upgrading the country’s status to Category A.
