Gulf Air-PAL code-sharing ties gives travellers more choices

Outbound and inbound travellers will now have a choice from the combined 90 destinations of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Gulf Air, the Middle East’s leading airline, after the two carriers signed a code-sharing agreement.

Gulf Air Philippines country manager Roberto Hukom said consumers would greatly benefit from the partnership since they now have more choices as far as destinations are concerned.

"We are happy for the consumers, the travellers, because now they can fly on the combined networks of two strong regional airlines," Hukom said.

Gulf Air’s network covers 50 cities in 30 countries in the Middle East, the Gulf, Europe and other continents while PAL serves 40 online destinations – 17 domestic and 23 international points in 12 countries and territories.

Gulf Air President and Chief Executive James Hogan flew to Manila last week to formalize the agreement with PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Jaime Bautista. The code-shared flights, however, started on March 27.

Hogan said besides allowing PAL to code-share on Gulf Air’s Bahrain-Manila-Bahrain and Muscat-Manila-Muscat flights, the partnership would enable both airlines to sell tickets to other destinations served by them through a special pro-rate agreement.

Hukom emphasized that PAL passengers to the Middle East and beyond would now be able to experience Gulf Air’s award-winning services and amenities, including its renowned onboard cuisine, "sky nanny" and premium cabins and seats.

For his part, Bautista said Gulf Air could sell tickets to passengers bound for Northeast Asia like Korea and Japan and domestic destinations in the Philippines where PAL flies.

"With our code-sharing agreement, Gulf Air will be able to sell tickets from the Gulf to Manila and other domestic destinations or in Asia where PAL flies," said Bautista.

Hogan is confident that with the code-sharing agreement, more tourists from Europe and the Middle East will be visiting the Philippines.

"The partnership will enable us to bring business out of the Gulf, particularly tourists," he said.