PAL resumes flights to Dammam

Flag carrier Philippines Airlines resumed its operations in Saudi Arabia on December 3 by making its first non-stop flight from Manila to Dammam and back.

A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said twin-engine Airbus 330-300 with flight number PR 682 carried 216 passengers and touched down at 6:13 p.m. at King Fahd International Airport.

The same plane left for Manila at 8:20 p.m. on flight number PR 683 with 367 passengers, the DFA said.

PAL flights to Dammam started on July 3, 1982, landing at Dhahran International Airport before it was moved to King Fahd International Airport in November 1999. The service was suspended in August 2001.

Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin Tago joined officials from the King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) Management to welcome PAL’s return to Dammam.

Tago cut the ceremonial ribbon and cake together with KFIA Director General, Engineer Yousef K. Al-Dhahri.   

The Philippine Ambassador thanked KFIA management for the warm welcome accorded to PAL in its return and resumption of flights, and expressed hope that the airlines will continue successfully and eventually increase frequency of their flights to Riyadh, Dammam and also start flights to Jeddah.

 According to Mr. Rajko Costa, Regional Manager-Middle East, PAL will operate the Manila-Damman-Manila route 3 times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturday.

Last Sunday, December 01 the Manila-Riyadh-Manila flight was successfully launched at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia, a common destination of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), is home to over 1.8 million Filipinos. — KBK, GMA News