PAL is requesting an exemption to continue operating scheduled flights beyond the June 24, 2025 deadline. This is required under aviation rules for foreign carriers, a letter to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) in Washington D.C. showed.
“PAL’s Manila–Seattle exemption authority enables it to provide attractive and enhanced service options for travelers seeking convenient air transportation between the capital of the Philippines and Seattle, Washington,” PAL said in an April 11 letter that was seen by InsiderPH.
“Renewal of PAL’s exemption would also help facilitate trade and tourism between the two countries,” it added.
Seattle is PAL's 8th destination in North America
PAL previously secured a one-year exemption on June 24 last year. This allowed the airline to launch Seattle trips on Oct. 2, 2024—its eighth destination in North America.
Apart from increased passenger volume, PAL’s Seattle flights added up to 60 tons of cargo capacity every week, bolstering trade between the Philippines and the US, its annual report showed.
Fierce competition
This comes despite rising competition on transpacific routes where PAL once held a monopoly.
On April 3, Air Canada launched its first nonstop flights between Manila and Vancouver. A few days later, US carrier United announced it will add a second daily flight between Manila and San Francisco starting October 25 this year.
PAL also competes with other global carriers, however, these do not offer nonstop trips to the US or Canada.
According to PAL, it currently operates 46 weekly flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, New York, Toronto, Honolulu, and Guam.
Miguel R. Camus has been a reporter covering various domestic business topics since 2009.
