Emirates and Philippine Airlines (PAL) are considering a potential expansion of their partnership following a meeting at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai this month, Travel Radar has learned. The expansion would serve the airlines’ shared goal of providing improved schedules and services to travellers.
Emirates and Philippine Airlines: Better Together?
At the Arabian Travel Market, both airlines agreed to consider a reciprocal code sharing agreement on flights between Dubai and the Philippines, as well as on select routes beyond the scope of either partner airline. Code sharing is an arrangement where an airline allows customers to purchase tickets for a flight that is operated by another airline. This can be between two airlines, or between many, which is the case with airline alliances. Code sharing between Emirates and PAL would benefit both airlines, as it will allow each of them to connect travellers with more destinations outside of their respective routes, as well as giving customers the convenience of a single ticket with baggage checked through to their final destination, and a competitively-priced fare. As an added bonus, code sharing allows airlines to minimise empty seats on aircraft as there will be passengers for the main airline and the code sharing airline flying on the same flight. The carriers will also explore opportunities to enhance cargo interline cooperation and exchange best practices in ground handling, catering, maintenance and technical training. Additionally, they will aim to organise joint familiarisation trips for key media and trade stakeholders.
Flying the Philippine Skies
Emirates and PAL first signed an enhanced interline agreement in March 2023. Since then, they have been connecting passengers to 10 domestic destinations via Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) and Clark International Airport (CRK), as well as to nine international destinations via Dubai International Airport (DXB). Emirates launched its service to Manila in 1990, and has since grown its operations to include a circular service operating in a loop between Dubai, Cebu and Clark. Just last year, Emirates expanded its partnerships to allow its customers to connect to 1,700 additional cities by plane and even by rail. It currently serves the Philippines with 28 weekly flights, with 22,700 seats offered per week to and from Dubai. Emirates opened its first Emirates World Store in Southeast Asia in Manila.
Have you ever flown to the Philippines via Dubai? Will you be taking advantage of Emirates’ new connections? Let us know!
