Manila: Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will increase its direct services between Manila and Seattle, from three to five weekly beginning Nov. 25. "Our decision to increase frequencies to Seattle highlights the importance of the US market to the Philippine Airlines global network, and in particular the great value of Seattle as a gateway, not just to the Washington and Oregon areas, but to cities across the United States that we can now serve through our ongoing partnership with Alaska Airlines," PAL president Richard Nuttall said in a statement Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Tan-led carrier said the expansion aims to meet growing travel demand to and from the US West Coast and beyond, as part of a long-term investment to develop business and tourist travel flow. Aside from Seattle, PAL also flies nonstop to New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Guam.

"We are focusing strongly on developing this growing market to help Americans plan their vacation trips to the Philippines and other Asian countries, to open up more opportunities for businesses to build up commercial activities, and for Filipino Americans to reunite more often with their families back in the home country," Nuttall added.

The flight increase will also result in a substantial boost in cargo capacity of up to 40 tons per week, supporting the growing trade between the US and the Philippines. PAL is utilizing Boeing 777-300ER long-range jetliners that could accommodate 370 passengers for the Manila-Seattle route. The five weekly flights will be offered every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, PAL stated.