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Philippine Airlines is expanding its Pacific reach with the launch of a new nonstop service to Palau and the resumption of flights to Saipan
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PAL bolstered its regional network by launching new twice-weekly flights to Palau and restoring service to Saipan, with both routes operating on a Wednesday/Sunday departure schedule from Manila to provide vital connectivity to Micronesia and the Northern Marianas
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Utilizing Airbus A321ceo aircraft, these new routes aim to capture a larger share of the regional logistics market by leveraging Manila as a strategic cargo hub for shipments bound for the Pacific
Philippine Airlines (PAL) is expanding its Pacific reach with the launch of a new nonstop service to Palau and the official resumption of flights to Saipan, part of a broader strategy to solidify Manila’s status as a primary transit hub between the Pacific Islands and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region.
The new service connects Manila to Koror, the commercial center of Palau, a nation famed for its world-class diving and marine biodiversity. Speaking on the expansion, PAL president Richard Nuttall emphasized that the route serves a dual purpose: providing vital connectivity for Pacific islanders and positioning the Philippines as a preferred destination for medical tourism.
“This launch reinforces Manila’s position as a key regional transit hub while strengthening its role as a gateway for medical tourism,” Nuttall said in a press release. “It underscores PAL’s role as a reliable bridge connecting Pacific communities with the broader region.”
The Manila-Palau service will operate twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays.
- Manila to Palau: Departs at 9:45 PM, arriving at 1:30 AM the following day
- Palau to Manila: Departs on Mondays and Thursdays at 3:10 AM, arriving at 4:55 AM
Simultaneously, PAL has re-established its presence in the Northern Mariana Islands by restoring the Manila-Saipan route. These flights also operate on a twice-weekly schedule every Wednesday and Sunday.
- Manila to Saipan: Departs at 7:45 PM, arriving at 1:45 AM.
- Saipan to Manila: Departs on Mondays and Thursdays at 2:50 AM, arriving at 5:05 AM.
Both routes utilize the Airbus A321ceo aircraft, which features a two-class configuration: 12 seats in business class and 187 in economy. Beyond passenger travel, the airline is eyeing a larger slice of the regional logistics market. By leveraging Manila’s geographic advantage, PAL intends to use these routes to facilitate cargo shipments bound for the Pacific from its global network.
The addition of Palau and Saipan complements PAL’s existing Pacific operations in Guam and Honolulu. This network growth follows a successful 2025 for the airline, during which it was recognized by Cirium for achieving the highest on-time performance among Asia-Pacific carriers.
READ: PAL’s 1st nonstop Cebu-Guam flight takes off
As Asia’s first commercial airline, founded in 1941, PAL’s latest expansion marks 85 years of operation. With hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao, the carrier now serves 30 domestic and 41 international destinations across Asia, North America, Australia, and the Middle East.
