Philippine Airlines (PAL) is set to expand its domestic route network with the introduction of a new regional sector and increased frequencies to a renowned surfing destination, further strengthening its hub operations at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB/RPVM).
Effective March 1, the flag carrier will inaugurate thrice-weekly operations between Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Catarman National Airport (CRM/RPVF), establishing a vital air bridge to Northern Samar’s primary gateway.
The new sector will be operated every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, utilizing the airline’s 78-seat De Havilland DHC-8-400 (Q400) turboprop fleet.
Flight 2P-2653 will depart Mactan-Cebu at 0950 hours local time, with a block time of 65 minutes, touching down at Catarman at 1055 hours. The return service, operating as 2P-2654, pushes back from Catarman at 1125 hours, arriving in Cebu at 1230 hours.
The flag carrier is presently the sole airline operating flights to Catarman, with five weekly flights from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL/RPLL).
Complementing this network expansion, PAL is augmenting its services to Siargao Airport (IAO/RPNS), which serves as the primary airport to the surfing capital of the Philippines.
The carrier will introduce two additional weekly frequencies operating every Wednesday and Sunday, bringing its total weekly rotation on the Cebu-Siargao sector to 18 frequencies.
The supplementary Siargao services, designated as 2P-2355 and 2P-2356, will maintain similar morning departure slots. The outbound leg departs Cebu at 0950 hours, while the return segment pushes back from Siargao at 1115 hours.
These route developments enhance PAL’s regional hub structure at Mactan-Cebu, which serves as a crucial connecting point for passengers traveling between the Visayas and various points in Mindanao.
On January 15, PAL is also set to introduce relaunch flights between Manila and Cauayan Airport (CYZ/RPUY), replacing its service to Pagadian Airport (PAG/RPMP), which will end the day before. Flights between the two cities will be flown on an Airbus A320.
Meanwhile, the flag carrier is also terminating its service to Kalibo International Airport (KLO/RPVK) on March 1, citing economic concerns. The Kalibo service, which is currently flown once daily, competes directly with the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport (MPH/RPVE) in Caticlan for Boracay-bound tourists.
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