Allan Q. Coo, PAL regional manager for North America, International
By Abner Galino and Joy Marino
With barely two weeks left in year 2016, Philippine Air Lines (PAL) is set to claim another robust year into its storied corporate journey.
Allan Q. Coo, PAL regional manager for North America, enumerated the headways that the Philippine flag carrier has achieved throughout the year 2016, chief of them: acquiring two more Boeing 777s.
“The first one – RP7778 – was added to our fleet during the last week of October and just 2 days ago, we received our 8th 777 and will be ready to be added to our roster this December operating the trans-pacific routes,” Coo announced during the annual PAL Christmas party held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles last December 16.
Coo also announced the new PAL routes: Manila to Saipan, Taipei to Osaka, non-stop flight from Los Angeles to Cebu; the Singapore to Cebu route and Cebu to Caticlan and Cebu to Clark via Caticlan (started on December 16.
The new local routes were meant to support the growth Cebu, which PAL consider as itssecond hub, according to Coo.
“We have also strengthened our flight connections to and from Cebu to better serve our countrymen from Southern Philippines.”
The airline executive as took pride in PAL’s twice daily, non-stop flight from Los Angeles to Manila that started last Thursday (Dec 8).
“This gives our passengers a choice of leaving during the day or our regular evening flights. Both flights are operated by a Boeing 777,” Coo pointed out.
Maria Theresa Garces with team.
In Canada, PAL recently added two “turnaround flights to Vancouver (PR116/117) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Toronto also received an additional flight to Manila on Saturdays which started last Saturday Dec 10.
“This gives PAL 10 weekly NON-STOP flights from Vancouver to Manila and 4 times a week service from Toronto to Manila via Vancouver,” Coo added.
Philippine Airlines is celebrating her 75thAnniversary. PAL’s new tagline “Heart of the Filipino” embodies its dedication to service and make Philippine Airlines a 5-Star carrier.
“We are all looking forward to the New Year and years to come as we take on more deliveries, the Airbus 350s in 2018 and 12 Bombardier Q400s. Upgrading our aircrafts, routes and air service for the traveling public,” Coo disclosed.
Ma. Theresa Garces, PAL Los Angeles manager, seconded Coo’s outlook and thanked the travel agents, the media and, foremost, the passengers who choose the services of the Philippine flag carrier on all of their trips.
“We are so grateful to you. Your patronage and friendships made these all happen. On behalf of the staff and management of Philippine Airlines, I would like to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year,” said Garces as she closed another well-attended 2016 PAL Christmas party in Los Angeles.