Philippine Airlines (PAL) has expanded its codeshare agreement with China Airlines to further boost its international operations.
PAL is expanding its international network with four times weekly codeshared services between Manila and Kaohsiung and five times weekly codeshared services between Cebu and Taipei.
Both flights are operated by China Airlines utilizing Boeing 737-800 aircraft for Manila to Kaohsiung and Airbus A321neo aircraft for Cebu to Taipei.
“Philippine Airlines is keen to serve the growing demand for travel stimulated by the continuing visa-free arrangement for Filipino travel to Taiwan. 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,” said Bud Britanico, PAL vice president for sales.
“China Airlines has been focusing on the Filipino market as part of our ongoing efforts to expand the Southeast Asia network in recent years. Philippine Airlines is a long-standing China Airlines partner and the latest expansion to the code-sharing arrangement will not only strengthen collaboration between the two airlines but also promote business and tourism between the two regions,” said Jeremy Chang, China Airlines vice president of the corporate development office.
Taiwan remains visa-free for Filipinos, with the aim of capturing at least 320,000 Filipino tourists annually. The Philippine Department of Tourism is also targeting to welcome 200,000 Taiwanese visitors per year to the Philippines.
The codeshare agreement also allows China Airlines to access PAL’s domestic network by placing its “CI” code on select PAL-operated flights from Manila to Cebu, Davao and Iloilo, as well as from Cebu to Davao and Iloilo, for the carriage of passengers traveling between Taiwan and these Philippine cities.
PAL and China Airlines have been codeshare partners since 2015.
