PAL flights to stay despite tensions between Koreas

Thursday, 25 November 2010 00:00
The Manila Times
By Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo, Reporter

PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) said its flights to South Korea would stay despite the military tension in the Korean peninsula.
In a statement, the flag carrier said it will continue mounting regular flights to Seoul and Busan until otherwise advised either by Philippine or South Korean authorities.
”PAL is closely monitoring developments, as the flag carrier braces for the possibility of mounting evacuation flights should the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and/or Malacanang make an official request in case the situation in South Korea deteriorates,” the Lucio Tan-owned airline said.

The company said its staff in Seoul is providing management updates on the conflict based on information from the Philippine Embassy in South Korea.

PAL flies from Manila to Seoul twice a day, and to Busan four times a week. The carrier also operates a daily flight from Cebu to Seoul.
The airline said that this is not the first time that its operations has been exposed to conflict-stricken territories.

”Many times in its 70-year history, the national flag carrier—with its wide international route network— has been called upon to operate emergency missions to evacuate Filipinos,” it added.