PAL extends P88 promo for local flights

LUCIO TAN-led Philippine Airlines (PAL) has extended its P88 fare promotion on any domestic route to increase passenger capacity during the off-peak travel season. In a statement, PAL said that it would continue its P88 flat rate for a one-way flight on Fiesta or economy class between Manila and any of PAL’s 17 other domestic points for Good Friday and Black Saturday. The promotion dubbed as "Holy Week Special," is aimed to encourage travel by plane in a "non-travel" period said PAL Vice-President for Corporate Communications Rolando G. Estabillo. "It is a promotion that we normally do. The peak season already subsided and we are looking to encourage more people to fly [with PAL]," Mr. Estabillo said in a phone interview Thursday. He added that airline travel usually reaches its peak before Good Friday and Black Saturday as Filipinos are culturally accustomed to stay in during these days. In addition, PAL is also selling a second ticket for P88 for every full-fare domestic ticket on selected domestic destinations. The second ticket is valid for five weeks from Feb. 6 to March 12, 2008, while the full-fare ticket is valid for a year. The promotion covers flights Manila-Laoag, Manila-Bacolod, Manila-Butuan, Manila-Cebu, Manila-Davao and Manila-Iloilo. All promotional fares are exclusive of taxes, fuel and insurance surcharges, which usually amount to an average of P1,000. Last month, PAL offered a similar campaign called "Seat All You Can" featuring P88 one-way flight between any PAL domestic destination. The airline currently flies to Manila, Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Laoag, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran and Zamboanga. — MGSR, BusinessWorld