→ Philippine Airlines (PAL) has officially exited the domestic flight market beginning August 1, according to a senior airline source.
An official from PAL, who asked not to be identified, shared with Interaksyon (published in their website) that all domestic routes previously operated by the national flag carrier have been turned over to PAL Express, its budget airline subsidiary. The move marks a strategic realignment of the company’s operations rather than a complete withdrawal from local travel.
PAL will continue to operate flights to Cebu and Davao, as these hubs serve as key gateways for passengers connecting to international routes.
“This is purely a business decision,” the source explained, emphasizing that the shift is part of PAL’s long-term strategy.
With PAL stepping back from domestic-only routes, the local aviation market is now dominated entirely by low-cost carriers. In addition to PAL Express, budget airlines serving domestic travelers include Cebu Pacific, AirAsia Philippines, Zest Airways, and Tiger Airways Philippines.
The transition highlights the growing role of budget airlines in meeting the country’s domestic travel demand, while full-service carriers increasingly focus on international and premium routes.
source: Interaksyon.com / published on August 5, 2013
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