PAL: Right time to bring back Manila-Saipan route

Philippine Airlines held a press conference and gala night to give CNMI stakeholders and residents an overview of their products and services as well as introduce the Philippines as a destination at the Fiesta Resort and Spa last Friday. From left is POI Aviation general manager Aurelia Kretzers, Tan Holdings corporate consultant David Sablan, Philippine honorary consul Glicerio Arago, PAL’s senior vice president for airline operations Ismael Augusto Gozon, PAL Express president Bonifacio Sam, PAL Express commercial and business development assistant vice president Rabbi Ang, and PAL area manager for Guam, CNMI, and FSM Maryann Cabreros.  (Frauleine Villanueva-Dizon)

Philippine Airlines is all set to fly to Saipan on June.

The Philippines’ flag carrier and Asia’s first airline, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, held a press conference and gala night to give CNMI stakeholders and residents an overview of their products and services as well as introduce the Philippines as a destination at the Fiesta Resort & Spa last Friday.

Saipan will be PAL’s 44th international destination. It also has 31 domestic destinations as of current. PAL boasts of 76 modern aircraft, half of which are new generation jets less than five years old.

PAL used to service the Manila-Saipan route in the early 1990s. Asked why they have decided to return now, PAL’s senior vice president for airline operations Ismael Augusto Gozon said it is the “right time” and that there is an undeniable need for service between the two countries.

“I think this is the right time because there are a lot Filipinos who work in the CNMI not to mention the Filipinos who have already resided here for three or four generations,” Gozon said

Gozon said they are happy to be back and is looking forward to a stronger working relationship with the Commonwealth.

Tan Holdings vice president Ivan Quichocho highlighted the impact of having PAL’s services on island from medical referral to tourism.

“Our medical referral, our citizens here in the CNMI are always travelling off-island. This allows us a very quick three-and-a-half-hour flight, easy access to immediate medical care,” Quichocho said.

“Thank you Philippine Airlines,” he added, “Thank you for choosing Saipan.”

Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Chris Concepcion congratulated PAL and thanked them for flying here.

“On the tourism side, we are very excited to tap into your route network that it extends to Southeast Asia, China, and other networks that you guys have. We’re looking forward working with your team. My team in Manila has already hit the ground running and working with you guys to promote this route,” Concepcion said.

Tan Holdings corporate consultant David “Uncle Dave” M. Sablan said he will do his best to promote both destinations.

“You can be sure that I’m going to do my best to see to it that Philippine Airlines and the two destinations, out and in, are successful,” Sablan said.

“I think we are going to be very successful,” he added.

POI Aviation will be PAL’s ground handling and general sales agent.

“We’ve handled Manila flights along with all the necessary medical transfers and all that stuff. We can handle it and we are very excited, thank you for flying to Saipan,” POI Aviation general manager Aurelia Kretzers said.

Philippine honorary consul Glicerio Arago said Filipinos will surely be glad with the incoming service and that those who would wish to visit the Philippines will surely have a great time.

“Flying to the Philippines is expensive but this will change soon,” Arago said, “This is a great opportunity to experience PAL which is uniquely Filipino.”

There are about 22,000 Filipinos in the CNMI.

‘Heart of the Filipino’

PAL also introduced their new branding philosophy called “Heart of the Filipino” carrying its role to represent the best of the Philippines to the world.

“During the 75th anniversary last March 15, we unveiled a new corporate vision to become, from three star, to a five star airline. All our efforts are geared towards this singular goal,” PAL Express president Bonifacio Sam said.

“This new branding highlights the link between the airline and the country it serves for the last 70 decades,” he added.

Saipan is the latest addition to PAL’s route network, which recently included Doha, Jeddah, and Kuwait this year as well as Port Moresby, Cairns, Auckland, Jinjiang, and New York last year. PAL has introduced its newest link to the U.S. mainland which is the Cebu-Los Angeles service.

With a traveling time of four hours and 15 minutes, PAL’s twice weekly service to Saipan will utilize the bi-class Airbus A320 with 12 business and 144 economy class seats.

PR 1571 departs Manila every Wednesday and Sunday at 9:20pm and arrives on Saipan at 3:35am local time. PR 1572 departs Saipan every Monday and Thursday at 4:35am and arrives in Manila at 6:45am.