Philippine Airlines (PAL), owned by business magnate Lucio Tan, is set to expand its international footprint through a strategic codeshare partnership with Singapore Airlines. This collaboration marks a significant step in PAL’s global network expansion, enabling it to offer flights to key European cities including Paris and Rome.
Scheduled to commence by the fourth quarter of 2023, pending regulatory approvals, the codeshare agreement will cover PAL’s and Singapore Airlines’ flights between Singapore and Manila. This move signifies PAL’s return to European destinations like Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, and Zurich, routes it previously served in the 1980s and 1990s.
The deal encompasses six of Singapore Airlines’ European destinations: Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Paris, Rome, and Zurich. Additionally, Singapore Airlines will also codeshare on PAL’s flights from Manila to 27 destinations within the Philippines, extending the reach of both airlines significantly.
Looking to the future, PAL and Singapore Airlines are exploring the possibility of expanding this agreement. This could include additional points in Europe, as well as destinations in Australia, India, New Zealand, and South Africa. PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Stanley K. Ng expressed optimism about the partnership, affirming PAL’s commitment to building new connections and opportunities for its customers.
This partnership marks a crucial development for Philippine Airlines, offering its passengers a more diverse range of flight options and strengthening its position in the global aviation industry.