PAL’s promo fare pushes binge on domestic travel, cushions decline in international trips

DAVAO CITY – Philippine Airlines’ aggressive low-fare promotion has generated “a lot of inquiries” and an executive for Mindanao has expressed optimism that this reception from travellers would cushion the decline in international travel.

Domingo Duerme, senior assistant vice president for Mindanao, said that its promotional fares to 11 regional destinations, mostly in Asia, “could only affect us with about five percent decline in international travel”.

He said that the outbreak in AH1N1, the virus that causes swine flu, has been blamed for the further decline in global travel, already affected by the global financial crisis.

“If ever we are affected by the decline in international travel, it would be about only five percent,” he said.

The country’s flag carrier has offered cheap round-trip economy fares from Manila of $98 to HongKong, Macau or Taipei; $118to Bangkok, Singapore or Saigon; $148 to Jakarta; $178 to Shanghai; $188 to Osaka; $198 to Beijing; $223 to Fukuoka or Nagoya in Japan, or the same rate from Cebu to Narita; $468 to Sydney or Melbourne; the same rate to Honolulu; and $668 to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas in the US, or Vancouver in Canada.

Under its promotional fare program “Way to Go”, the PAL said that the sale would cover June 1-5 period in ticket sales and travel to regional, or Asia and Japan destinations, should be between July 1 and November 30 this year.

Transpacific destinations, covering US and Canada, should be made between September 1 to December 25 this year.

Promotional fares include surcharges, inflight meals, snacks, beverages, entertainment, blankets and newspapers. The fares exclude fees for government taxes.

“Our sales have been generating a lot of inquiries already and we hope that this would offset the decline in international travel due to the scare of the AH1NI,” he told reporters after the regular Wednesday news forum at the Marco Polo Hotel here.

In the domestic travel, Duerme said that its flights have been getting “a high 90” rate in each flight. This would mean that each flight has a high occupancy, or load factor, rate of 90 percent to 95 percent, especially in the season of travel.

“On ordinary days, we would be getting an average of 85 percent load factor,” he said.

Next to Cebu, Davao City is the next destination with a heavy traffic. PAL has seven flights serving the Manila-Davao route alone. PAL also serves the Zamboanga City with its PAL Express aircraft.
- 30 -