US flights will continue—PAL

Agence France-Presse First Posted 10:56:00 08/03/2010

MANILA, Philippines—While Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Tuesday said it has axed three flights after a number of pilots walked out to take higher-paid jobs abroad, it gave the assurance that it will not cancel flights to the United States.

The cuts affect domestic routes and make up a tiny portion of the airline's 160 daily trips, while the flag carrier's international flights are not affected, company officials said.
"We would like to assure you that we will not cancel flights to the US," PAL president Jaime Bautista told ABS-CBN television.

The carrier also flies to the Middle East, Australia, and East Asia.
"In case there are flight disruptions we can re-book, we can re-issue tickets. There will be no penalties and we will see to it that they will be accommodated in the next available flights," Bautista added.

PAL spokesman Jonathan Gesmundo said three flights to the central and southern Philippines were cut to adjust for fewer pilots of short-haul aircraft that serve domestic and regional routes.
PAL said cancelled flights represent only 2.5 percent of the total average daily flights of 160.
“The total displaced passengers in the last three days is 5,000. This represents 0.6 percent or less than the 19 percent of close to 800,000 passengers flownn by PAL for the month of July,” the flag carrier said.

Twenty-five pilots and first officers quit abruptly last week, forcing the cancellation of 18 PAL flights on Saturday and Sunday and four domestic flights on Monday, Gesmundo said.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino has since stepped in, with members of his cabinet meeting PAL management on Monday to resolve the issue before it affects tourism and travel.
The meetings are expected to continue Tuesday, Bautista said.
"We want them all back," Bautista said.

PAL said the pilots did not comply with an airline rule to give 180 days' notice before resigning. It also says the pilots still owed the airline for part of their training costs.

Bautista said PAL could not compete with the hefty salaries being offered by airlines abroad.
PAL has been beset by growing labor unrest for months with ground crews and flight attendants threatening strikes.

With reports from INQUIRER.net