This is a first link between the UK and the Philippines, a major emerging market destination, in more than a decade. Philippines Airlines (PAL) has chosen Heathrow over other UK airports and Heathrow is PAL’s first European destination since flights to Europe were discontinued in 1998.
Speaking on this occasion Lord Stephen Green of Hurstpierpoint Minister of State for Trade and Investment , It is a delightful occasion and a very concrete example of growing ties between two countries , that being the reestablishment of Philippine Airlines of direct flights between Manila and London for the first time in over a decade. These flights will greatly enhance the relationship between the UK and the Philippines.
PAL will fly direct between Heathrow and Manila five times a week, providing the fastest travel to Manila as well as top Philippines tourists spots and other destinations in Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea and Australia. The move has been around five years in the making and the airline has expressed a wish to move to daily flights subject to other slots becoming available.
Last year, one third of the estimated 349,000 European visitors to the Philippines came from the UK. In the first half of 2013, arrivals from UK reached 60,234. In the words of Colin Matthew, It is a delightful occasion to welcome the newest member of Heathrow’s airline, because Heathrow is full, it is difficult to find slots for new arrivals and this has take years of negotiation.
Whilst it is a success story for Heathrow and the UK, linking British business to trading opportunities in a key emerging market, it also shows the challenge of putting these links in place. Without a larger hub airport, the UK can expect to fall behind in the global race for trade, jobs and economic growth.
Speaking on this occasion Lord Stephen Green of Hurstpierpoint Minister of State for Trade and Investment , It is a delightful occasion and a very concrete example of growing ties between two countries , that being the reestablishment of Philippine Airlines of direct flights between Manila and London for the first time in over a decade. These flights will greatly enhance the relationship between the UK and the Philippines.
PAL will fly direct between Heathrow and Manila five times a week, providing the fastest travel to Manila as well as top Philippines tourists spots and other destinations in Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea and Australia. The move has been around five years in the making and the airline has expressed a wish to move to daily flights subject to other slots becoming available.
Last year, one third of the estimated 349,000 European visitors to the Philippines came from the UK. In the first half of 2013, arrivals from UK reached 60,234. In the words of Colin Matthew, It is a delightful occasion to welcome the newest member of Heathrow’s airline, because Heathrow is full, it is difficult to find slots for new arrivals and this has take years of negotiation.
Whilst it is a success story for Heathrow and the UK, linking British business to trading opportunities in a key emerging market, it also shows the challenge of putting these links in place. Without a larger hub airport, the UK can expect to fall behind in the global race for trade, jobs and economic growth.
