Philippine Airlines reintroduces business class on flights to Dubai

PAL took over the Manila to Dubai route from its low-cost cousin, PAL Express, in 2014 and has only recently deployed its A330 aircraft, which allows for business-class service.

Philippines Airline took over the Manila to Dubai route from its low-cost cousin, PAL Express, in 2014. Romeo Ranoco / Reuters

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has relaunched its business class service on flights to Dubai after a 50 per cent jump in passenger traffic to the UAE in the three months to the end of June. PAL took over the Manila to Dubai route from its low-cost cousin, PAL Express, in 2014 and has only recently deployed its A330 aircraft, which allows for a business class service. PAL will fly its 368-seater A330 with 18 seats in business class.

“While the Filipino expat community is one of the biggest in the UAE, it does not have the highest disposable income,” said Genaro Velasquez, PAL senior assistant vice president and regional manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

He said the UAE is home to over 200 nationalities and many are looking at the Philippines as a tourist destination but could be dissuaded from travelling to the country on flights without a business class service.

“I believe we will have an average 50 per cent load capacity in the new business class. Dubai has many options for the Filipino tourist such as the new theme parks and the shopping of course. We are also trying to attract the market for the business traveller on both routes,” he said.

Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Riyadh, Jeddah and Damman will also have business class flights in the next three months, said Mr Velasquez.

“The only surprise here is that PAL didn’t have a business class service to Dubai,” said Rashid Aboobacker, associate director with TRI Consulting.

He said while the Filipino trade links are not that strong between the two countries, the number of Filipino expats in the country made a business class service a necessity.

“The tourist numbers for Dubai are constantly increasing, so more and more airlines will be looking to expand their fleets and services here. While the revenue per available room may be falling slowly, that is because of the supply of hotels is increasing exponentially,” he said.