PAL Launches Manila-Da Nang Route

From left: New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) Terminal 1 Manager Arnel Atis, Department of Tourism Chief of Staff and Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation Coordination & Resource Generation Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, Ambassador of Vietnam to the Philippines Lai Thai Binh, PAL President Richard Nuttall, PAL Executive Vice President / Chief Operating Officer Atty. Carlos Luis Fernandez, and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Senior Asst. Gen. Manager Lourdes Reyes.

PAL Launches Manila-Da Nang Route

By Bing Jabadan – Thenationweek.com

July 2, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Tuesday (July 1, 2025) inaugurated its thrice-weekly direct service between Manila and Da Nang, Vietnam.

The move marked a significant expansion of PAL’s ASEAN network and underscored the increasing global confidence in the Philippine economy.

Flight PR 585 departed Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 at 11:10 a.m. yesterday, opening the new route that is set to increase to four flights weekly by November.

The launch was celebrated with a send-off ceremony attended by local officials, aviation stakeholders, and Vietnam’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Lai Thai Binh.

“We are proud to connect Manila and Da Nang, solidifying PAL’s position as serving the most destinations in Vietnam among ASEAN countries,” PAL President Richard Nuttall said.

“This reflects the strong bond between the Filipino and Vietnamese people,” he declared.

Binh echoed the same sentiment, highlighting the route as “a bridge between our people, cultures, and shared dreams.”

The two countries approach the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership in 2025 and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.

Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, chief of staff and Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation Coordination and Resource Generation, declared that the “direct flight responds to the growing demand for accessible and enriching tourism experiences as Vietnam becomes an increasingly popular destination for Filipino travelers, and the Philippines welcomes more visitors from Vietnam.”

Da Nang is rapidly gaining popularity as a tourist destination, offering diverse attractions including a thriving culinary scene, cultural experiences, scenic views, and easy access to UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

PAL currently operates 24 weekly non-stop flights to Vietnam, serving Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), and Hanoi, including three weekly flights connecting Cebu directly to Ho Chi Minh City.

The Manila-Da Nang route utilizes Airbus A321 jetliners, accommodating up to 199 passengers in both business and economy classes.

NAIA Sees Surge in International Flights

The launch of the Manila-Da Nang route coincides with a period of growth at NAIA, now managed by New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC).

The airport is experiencing a surge in new international flights and airlines, reflecting increasing global confidence in the Philippine economy.

NNIC President Ramon Ang declared: “We are scoring quick wins where we can by improving systems, facilities, and passenger flow. The results: we are now able to accommodate more flights and reduce congestion at the terminals.”

In addition to PAL’s new route, Air France, Air Canada, and Vietjet Airlines have launched new routes to and from NAIA, including direct flights to Seattle, Brisbane, Paris, Sapporo, and Vancouver.

Air India is preparing for its maiden direct flight from New Delhi in October, while United Airlines is adding a second daily service to San Francisco around the same time.

NAIA has also begun servicing new regional routes, including flights to Chiang Mai in Thailand.

NNIC’s focus on modernization and streamlining operations has led to improved efficiency and passenger experience.

During the Holy Week travel period in April, NAIA handled over 1.17 million passengers, a 12.7 percent increase from last year, while maintaining an on-time performance of 83.28 percent.

To further enhance capacity, NAIA is building a new Terminal 5, aimed at boosting annual capacity to 62 million passengers and increasing air traffic movements from 40-42 to 48 per hour.

NNIC is also upgrading check-in and baggage handling equipment, clearing abandoned aircraft, and supporting the acquisition of biometric e-gates to expedite immigration processing.

Flight Schedules for the New Manila-Da Nang Service are:

• PR 585 Manila-Da Nang:

Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, departing Manila at 11:10 a.m. and arriving in Da Nang at 12:45 p.m.

• PR 586 Da Nang-Manila:

Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, departing Da Nang at 1:35 p.m. and arriving in Manila at 5:10 p.m.