By Cris Larano
MANILA--Philippine Airlines Inc., the country's largest
international carrier, said Tuesday it will start flights to Europe
in November, four months after the European Union lifted a ban on
Philippine carriers due to safety concerns.
PAL, as the airline is better known, stopped flying to Europe in
1998 because of financial problems. But even after conglomerate San
Miguel Corp. (SMC.PH) bought into the airline last year, it was
unable to expand routes to Europe because of the EU ban imposed in
2010. That ban was lifted in July.
PAL president Ramon Ang told reporters the airline will resume
its European service with flights to London starting Nov. 4. He
said the airline will fly five times a week to Heathrow from
Manila.
Mr. Ang said the direct flights to London should help the
country's drive to attract more tourists from Europe.
Last year, Air France-KLM stopped direct flights to Manila from
Europe after the Philippine government refused to lower or abolish
aviation taxes as demanded by the airline.
Mr. Ang said PAL plans to fly to Rome, Amsterdam and Paris next
year.
Write to Cris Larano at cris.larano@dowjones.com
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