Tan Leads PAL Express, AirPhil NAIA 3 Transfer

Philippine Airlines chairman and CEO Lucio C. Tan led top PAL executives and ranking guests from the government when the flag carrier’s low-fares unit PAL express and affiliate carrier Air Philippine both took off from their new hub Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on July 24, 2008.
The move underscored PAL’s support for the Philippine governments effort to turn NAIA Terminal 3 into the premier gateway to Manila. Dr. Tan opened the PAL Express and Air Philippines check-in counters at the new terminal and then personally welcomed passengers checking-in for PAL Express flight PR 055 to Boracay and Air Philippines flight 2P 977 to Bacolod.
He was assisted by PAL president Jaime J. Bautista and other senior PAL executives. The PAL Chorale serenaded passengers and guests during the ceremonies. Starting July 24, all PAL Express flights departing Manila will operate from Terminal 3. These comprise the services to Boracay (Caticlan), Busuanga, Calbayog, San Jose, Surigao and Virac. The return flights from these points will also disembark at the new terminal.
Likewise, all Air Philippines flights will shift their departure and arrival operations to Terminal 3 on July 24. These include the services to Bacolod, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Naga, Puerto Princesa, Ozamiz and Tuguegarao.
In all, PAL Express will operate 75 flights per week and Air Philippines, 56 flights per week at Terminal 3, making the two PAL affiliates combined the largest operator at the newly opened facility. Any new or additional service by these two units in the future will also emanate from Terminal 3, PAL said. For instance, PAL Express’ forthcoming service to Catarman, Northern Samar, scheduled to start August 1, will operate from Terminal 3.
However, regular PAL domestic and international flights using jet aircraft will still operate from the flag carrier’s current hub at NAIA Centennial Terminal 2. Passengers on PAL Express and Air Philippines flights from Manila, as well as those holding PAL tickets on Air Philippines-operated code-share flights, are advised to proceed to NAIA Terminal 3 along Andrews Avenue (opposite the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus), Pasay City at least two hours prior to their scheduled departure time. /MP