By Lorenz S. Marasigan & Recto Mercene
AFTER a three-year hiatus, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has resumed its daily flights to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Jaime J. Bautista, PAL president, said the resumption of the carrier’s flights between Manila and Kuala Lumpur will help foster economic and cultural ties between the Philippines and Malaysia.
“Most important, it addresses the clamor for a direct service between the two capital cities of Manila and Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
Malaysia is a profit center in the Asean region, providing a favorable investment climate to individuals and organizations.
With investment opportunities in Malaysia’s service and manufacturing sectors, the PAL route will provide direct access to new business opportunities. Close to 800,000 overseas Filipino workers are employed in Malaysia.
“Through PAL flights and code-share partners, we can carry passenger traffic from Kuala Lumpur to China, Japan, South Pacific and North America and, thus, enhance our Asean network,” Bautista said.
Malaysia Airports Senior General Manager Zainol Mohd Isa said his group will ensure the Filipino flag carrier’s operations will receive Malaysia Airports’s fullest support for any airport facilities and services needed at the terminal.
“As the airport operator, we are always committed toward building a strong relationship with our partner airlines to support its growth, not only in Malaysia, but globally. Our mission here at Malaysia Airports is to create joyful experiences for all our stakeholders,” he said.
The decision to return to Kuala Lumpur comes after PAL and Malaysia Airlines expanded their code-share arrangement. The enhancements include code sharing in 12 domestic Malaysian destinations and nine domestic Philippine destinations.
Code-share passengers traveling between terminals in Manila can avail themselves of PAL’s free transfer services.
The Lucio Tan-led airline is deploying Airbus A321s on the route. The 199-seater aircraft has 12 seats in business class, 18 in premium economy and 169 in regular economy.
The points are Malaysia-Alor Setar, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuching, Labuan (Sabah), Langkawi, Miri (Sarawak), Penang, Sibu (Sarawak), Tawau (Sabah). For the Philippines, these are Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa and Caticlan. Passengers may book on business class or economy class to any of these destinations. Lounge access is also available to business-class passengers.
Current frequent flyer baggage benefits of Mabuhay Miles and Enrich members are also extended.
Code-share passengers traveling between terminals in Manila can avail themselves of PAL’s free transfer services. Passengers can choose from any of the daily Manila-Kuala Lumpur flight timings.
PR 525 departs Manila every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 7:25 a.m. and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 11 a.m. local time; the return flight—PR526—leaves Kuala Lumpur on the same days at 12:10 p.m. local time, and touches down in Manila at 3:50 p.m.
PR527 leaves Manila on Tuesday, Thursday and at 11:30 a.m. and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 3 p.m. local time; the return service—PR528—departs Kuala Lumpur on the same days at 4 p.m. local time and touches down in Manila at 7:30 p.m.