PAL is official carrier for Pope Francis' PHL visit

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines is the official carrier of Pope Francis during his Philippine visit from Jan. 15 to 19.

 

PAL will fly the Pope to Tacloban City to visit victims of super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) and Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit), the flag carrier said in a statement on Wednesday.

 

The airline will also fly the Pope back to Rome nonstop.

 

PAL said it "will draw from experience in rolling out the red carpet" for Pope Francis, having served as official carrier during Saint John Paul II's visits in 1981 and 1995.

 

On Jan. 17, PAL will fly the Pope to Tacloban. In Leyte, the Pope will have a Mass and meet with victims of recent calamities.

 

However, it did not give details on what aircraft it will use to ferry the Pope.

 

St. John Paul II

 

During Saint John Paul II's visit in 1981, PAL fitted a special Papal chamber on a DC-10 aircraft that flew the pontiff to Guam and Haneda after his Philippine visit.

 

In 1995, PAL flew St. John Paul II to Port Moresby after his four-day visit.

 

PAL said it has kept a collection of memorabilia of in-flight items used by St. John Paul II on his PAL flights. – Joel Locsin/VS, GMA News