Philippine DOT Urges United Airlines To Add Flights To More Points Than Just Manila

With a more than 26 million metro population in the 2020 census, it would be easy to assume that airlines from the United States would have several nonstop flight options to Manila in the Philippines. However, this is not the case.

Limited options for Manila

At present, there is only one daily direct flight from the continental United States to Manila by a United States-based airline. That would be the new United Airlines roughly 16-hour nonstop service from San Francisco to Manila daily using a Boeing 777-300ER jet.

• UA191 SFO 2335 – MNL 0650 +2
• UA190 MNL 0955 – SFO 0620

The flight has 60 Polaris business class seats, 24 premium class seats, and space for 266 passengers in economy. In a statement, United’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances Patrick Quayle said:

“United’s industry-leading international network has always set it apart from the competition, and we continue to find new ways to bring our customers the locations and schedules they want. This winter is no exception, as we further expand and deliver unparalleled connectivity around the globe.”

Philippine government applauds new flights

In a report on PhilStar Global, the Secretary of the Philippines Department of Transportation, Christina Garcia-Frasco, applauded United Airlines for being the first to inaugurate nonstop flights from the continental United States to Manila. However, she stopped short, saying the airline should consider more routes to the Southeast Asian Island chain.

Photo: Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport

For example, Garcia-Frasco recommended Clark International Airport, the former United States airbase converted to a commercial airport serving metro Manila. She also suggested that United Airlines seriously consider adding Mactan Cebu International Airport and Davao International Airport to their Philippines service.

Fly America Act

One justification for additional service could be the Open Skies Agreement and the Fly America Act (49 USC 40118). United States government employees and contractors are not allowed to fly on international carriers unless they have a codeshare agreement with a United States airline or are one of the countries with an Open Skies Agreement with the United States. The Philippines does not.

While the Philippines’ national carrier, Philippines Airlines, has convenient nonstop flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Manila, they do not have a codeshare agreement with a United States airline. That makes the airline unable to carry United States government employees and contractors.

Photo: viper-zero | Shutterstock

The only loophole in the Fly America Act is that non-eligible airlines can carry United States employees and contractors if they transit through Tokyo. Again, this loophole does not apply to West Coast flights by Philippine Airlines.

Davao is a real opportunity

Davao, also known as The Crown Jewel of Mindanao, is the third-largest city in the Philippines based on population. The 2020 census said it was home to nearly three million people. The island of Mindanao could provide a real opportunity for a United States carrier such as United Airlines because of the natural beauty and cultural opportunities it could provide for vacation travelers from the United States.

There are several beach resorts on the island and many opportunities for visitors to the United States to enjoy eco-tourism and agrotourism related to the cacao, durian, and coconut farming industries.

The United Airlines move to add the only transpacific nonstop flight from the continental United States to the Philippines by an American flag carrier was great for Filipinos and tourists wanting to visit the Philippines. However, is it time for United States airlines to add more service to the Southeast Asian Island nation, or is the demand not there? Join the debate in the comments below.

Source: United Airlines, United States Government, PhilStar Global