Goodbye Airphil, hello PAL Express

MANILA, Philippines – Starting March 15, Airphil Express, the budget arm of legacy carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), will be referred to as “PAL Express.”

The rebranding, which was announced in August 2012, is part of the transformation and alignment efforts of the airline, which has been placed under the management of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. in 2012.

All Airphil Express planes will use the familiar “sunriser” PAL logo on its tail and fuselage, PAL said in a statement on Thursday, March 14.

“It’s not just a name change, but an alignment of two standards into one. With this rebranding, PAL and PAL Express will be full service carriers in terms of service, but LCC in terms of managing costs,” PAL President Ramon S. Ang said.

PAL Express passengers will also be provided with complimentary snacks, drinks and reading materials on board and other amenities previously enjoyed only by passengers of full service carriers.

Passengers of PAL Express can also earn miles through their membership in Mabuhay Miles, the airline added.

The two airlines will remain distinct and independent, PAL stressed.

Both airlines will also maintain their respective websites — www.philipineairlines.com and www.flypalexpress.com.

All PAL flights will be manned by PAL pilots and cabin crew, while PAL Express flights will be operated by Airphil Express pilots and flight attendants.

PAL Express used to be the low-cost regional airline brand of PAL. It ceased operations in March of 2010 and transferred all service to Airphil Express, another airline.

The former PAL Express used to operate from Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu City, with smaller operations from PAL’s main hub in Manila, flying primarily intra-regional routes in the Visayas and Mindanao, as well as secondary routes to smaller airports in island provinces that are not able to accommodate mainline PAL jet aircraft. – Rappler.com