PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) is postponing the reopening of its direct flights from Manila to New Delhi due to the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan.
“Philippine Airlines is temporarily suspending the launch of our Manila-New Delhi-Manila service until further notice. We are constrained to take this step as news of India-Pakistan border tensions has prompted many travellers to cancel bookings and defer their travel plans,” the flag carrier said in a social media post late Tuesday.
In January, PAL announced it is reopening its Manila-New Delhi route in April, almost eight years after canceling it in 2011 due to the slim market then.
Aviation think-tank Center for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) said in a January report the reopening of the route is more viable for PAL now, as the market linking the Philippines to India has grown twice its size over the past five years.
“India is a strategically important new market for PAL and the Philippines overall. India is the largest source market for the Philippines that does not currently have any nonstop services,” the Australia-based firm said.
Data from the Department of Tourism shows India is the Philippines’ 12th largest market in terms of visitor volume at 92,589 during the first nine months of 2018, growing 14.63% from 80,770 in the same period in 2017.
PAL was supposed to offer four-times-weekly flights between Manila and New Delhi using its brand-new Airbus A321neo (new engine option) aircraft, which has a capacity of 244 seats.
But tensions have been high between India and Pakistan since February, started by a suicide bombing incident in the disputed state Kashmir that resulted to numerous deaths. It has since sparked an exchange of attacks between the two countries.
Passengers who may have bought tickets for the Manila-New Delhi service can choose to travel to another regional destination instead, or avail a refund. PAL said it will make a new announcement “once a new start date is finalized.” — Denise A. Valdez

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR