Manila: Philippine Airlines (PAL) will commence direct flights to Qatar starting June 16, facilitated through a codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways, the national airline of Qatar. This daily nonstop service will operate from Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

According to Philippines News Agency, PAL President Stanley Ng expressed enthusiasm about expanding the airline's global presence through strategic alliances. Ng highlighted that the new route would offer business and leisure travelers increased flexibility and seamless access to desired destinations. The decision to introduce daily flights to Doha is expected to boost tourism, trade, and business growth, further strengthening the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Qatar.

The collaboration between PAL and Qatar Airways is set to explore long-term opportunities, including promoting additional destinations within their respective networks and enhancing frequent flyer cooperation. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori remarked on the partnership, emphasizing their commitment to expanding global connectivity.

The service will feature seven weekly flights, utilizing PAL's Airbus A330-300 aircraft in a dual-class configuration. This setup includes 18 flat-bed seats in the business class cabin and 341 seats in the economy class cabin. The partnership will allow travelers from the Philippines to connect to over 170 destinations within the Qatar Airways network, covering regions such as Africa, the Americas, Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.