Philippine Airlines (PAL) is ramping up flights to Japan and Australia ahead of the winter, Christmas, and New Year travel season, expecting strong demand from holidaymakers, overseas Filipinos, and business travelers while boosting cargo capacity on key international routes.
Beginning Oct. 25, PAL will increase Manila-Tokyo Narita and Manila-Osaka Kansai services from 14 to 21 weekly flights through March 27, 2027. Flights between Manila and Sapporo will also rise from three to five weekly from Nov. 24, 2026, to Feb. 27, 2027, bringing the flag carrier’s Japan network to as many as 87 weekly flights.
The expanded schedule includes early morning departures from Manila and evening departures from Narita and Osaka, providing passengers with more travel options and longer stays.
“The winter season is one of the most popular times of the year for Filipinos visiting Japan, while it is also a peak period for Japanese travelers seeking the Philippines’ tropical destinations,” PAL President Richard Nuttall said.
“By adding more flights, we are giving our customers greater flexibility during these high-demand months while strengthening tourism, business and cultural exchanges between our two countries,” he added.
Nuttall said the additional frequencies will also increase cargo capacity, supporting trade between the Philippines and Japan alongside passenger traffic.
PAL is likewise expanding capacity to Australia by adding flights to Melbourne and Perth on selected peak travel dates during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Selected Sydney and Brisbane services will also be upgraded to larger aircraft to accommodate higher demand.
The expansion reflects airlines’ broader strategy of deploying additional capacity on high-performing international routes during peak travel periods, particularly as outbound leisure travel and visits to friends and relatives continue to drive passenger growth.
PAL said the enhanced Australia services also complement its frequent flyer partnership with Qantas, allowing customers to redeem rewards across both airlines.
Passengers are encouraged to book early to secure preferred travel dates during the holiday rush. (Marjohara Tacay)
