The momentum that has seen strong growth in international connectivity continues at Cairns Airport as the first ever Philippine Airlines aircraft is welcomed today when the inaugural flight arrives from Manila on their new Manila-Cairns-Auckland service.
Mayor of Cairns, Councillor Bob Manning will officially welcome the VIP group aboard the Philippine Airline flight and all passengers to Cairns.
Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Brown, will also address the group.
Mr Brown said the new service comes at the end of a year that saw four new direct international connections established for Cairns.
“Philippine Airlines four return services per week offer us not only one but two international destinations, Manila and Auckland, as well as the many connections available from both those cities,” Mr Brown said.
“This new service will prove attractive to visitors coming to experience Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef region giving us even more Asian, European and North American connections. Cairns will be the latest addition to Philippine Airline’s extensive route network that spans 37 foreign cities and 30 domestic points.”
GM Aeronautical, Janice Antonson said “Importantly, the service will offer the shortest possible connections to and from our fastest growing inbound visitor markets of China, United Kingdom, USA & Canada and connects us year round with our closest market of New Zealand.”
“Local residents will also appreciate the opportunity for direct flights to the Philippines and beyond as well as year round connectivity with New Zealand that slots in well with that countries domestic network.”
“Today we welcome the first Philippine Airlines service to Cairns and we look forward to a long and successful partnership with them as they operate their exciting new Manila-Cairns-Auckland service.”
The Manila – Cairns – Auckland service will be operated using A320 aircraft and will feature Philippine Airline’s signature full service offer. The inaugural flight only is to be operated using an
A340 -300 to accommodate the extra passengers enjoying the occasion.
Flights will arrive into Cairns from Manila each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning and return from Auckland each of these evenings.
Philippine Airlines – the flag carrier of the Republic of the Philippines – is a full- service legacy carrier operating for over seven decades. It is well-known for its distinct brand of Filipino service,
marked by warmth, charm and hospitality.
The airline operates to 69 destinations (30 domestic/ 39 international) which include Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, United States and Europe, utilizing a fleet of Boeing B777s, Airbus
A340s, A330s, A321s, A320s and Bombardier aircraft.
The company is currently focused on: fleet modernization, route network expansion and service innovations.
