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By Darwin G. Amojelar, Reporter
WITHIN a week after its main
domestic rival offered “free” flights to travelers, Philippine
Airlines (PAL) said it cut fares to all local destinations as well
as major points in Asia and Australia.
The country’s flag carrier said
it is offering a one-way fare of P88 between Manila and Laoag,
Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, Kalibo, Roxas,
Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao,
Dipolog, General Santos and Zamboanga.
The promo fare is available for
ticketing until June 2, and for travel between June 15 and December
15 this year. It excludes insurance and fuel surcharges as well as
value-added tax.
Round-trip fares between Manila
and 13 choice destinations throughout Australasia would start at $88
for the newly launched Chinese points of Chongqing and Chengdu, both
gateways to the Three Gorges region. The $88 promos are good for
travel through November 30 this year.
PAL’s announcement comes
shortly after rival Cebu Pacific offered “free” seats through
the second half of the year for its domestic and international
routes. The price war among local carriers intensified against the
backdrop of skyrocketing jet fuel prices, which are seen to cut into
airlines’ margins.
For its part, the Lucio Tan-owned
airline is also offering round-trip fares of $98 each on two of
PAL’s three daily services between Manila and Singapore.
The Singapore promo is available
to passengers embarking in any of PAL’s domestic points, with a
minimal surcharge. Passengers boarding from a Luzon or Visayas point
would pay $125 round-trip, while those originating from Mindanao are
assessed $136 round-trip.
This particular promo is
available for ticketing up to May 31 only and is valid for travel
between June 16 and October 13 this year.
For all other PAL flights to
Singapore and Jakarta, as well as to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh
City, Taipei and Xiamen, the flag carrier is offering a special
round-trip fare of $108.
Other Asia-Pacific destinations
have slightly higher round-trip promo rates: Shanghai, $168;
Beijing, $268; Melbourne and Sydney, both $428.
These fares are available for
ticketing from June 1 to 15 only, and valid for travel between July
1 and October 13 this year.
All international promo fares are
exclusive of taxes and surcharges.
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