PAL to start flying to Saipan in June

MANILA, Philippines – Flag carrier Philippine Airlines, Incorporated (PAL) will start operating twice weekly flights to Saipan, a US territory in the Pacific, starting June 15.

Saipan, one of largest islands in the Northern Marianas, is 4 hours away from Manila. 

The new flights are on codeshare agreement with its unit, PAL Express.

Codesharing is an agreement between two airlines to list certain flights in a reservation system under each other’s names.

“Saipan is home to thousands of Filipinos. Opening this new route will provide our kababayans (countrymen) that much-needed link to their homeland,” PAL President and COO Jaime Bautista said in a statement.

“On top of that, business and leisure travelers from Saipan now have the opportunity to experience PAL’s brand of service that is uniquely Filipino,” Bautista added.

Known for its resorts, beaches and dive spots, Saipan is popular among tourists who are into water sports.

Flight PR1571 departs Manila every Wednesday and Sunday at 9:20 pm and arrives in Saipan at 3:35 am local time the following day.

Flight PR1572 departs Saipan every Thursday and Monday at 4:35 am local time and arrives in Manila at 6:45 am.

PAL’s general sales agent in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is Century Travel Agency, Incorporated.

Meanwhile, PAL will also start operating the Cebu-Los Angeles route on March 15.

“The start of the new route coincides with the flag carrier’s 75th founding anniversary. It will be a thrice weekly service – every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday,” said PAL Spokesperson Cielo Villaluna. – Rappler.com