Philippine Airlines was established on 26th February 1921, and is the oldest airline.
It was founded by a businessmen group, headed by Andres Soriano, at that time, the most celebrated Philippines entrepreneur.
Andres became the Philippine Airlines general manager at the launching time.
The air service was officially controlled by a former senator, Ramon Fernandez, its chairman. On July 22, the franchise was acquired of the Philippine Aerial Taxi Company.
In the same year September, the Philippine Government invested in this airline, thereby paving way for nationalization.
The Philippine Airlines services came to a halt between the years 1941 and 1945, owing to the disturbances of the Second World War. The end of the war resulted in resuming services in 1946 and making great growth.
This was the first airline crossing Pacific Ocean with 40 Americans to California taking a halt at Wake Island, Guam, Johnston Atoll and Honolulu.
In the same year, regular service connected Manila to Honolulu and the airlines received the honor of designating the country flag
carrier. Philippine Airlines, as a marketing strategy, branded as Asia’s sunniest airline and began its service to New York and re-fleeting left this airline in financial crunch.
The airline recorded great annual loss followed by disputes and labor strikes resulting in further damage to the company. The operations were closed down in 1998 September and the issue was sorted and thereby in 2001 it returned as profit- making airline.
Philippine Airlines is the Philippines national airline having its headquarters at Pasay city. In Manila, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and in Cebu City, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport is the major hubs.
The airlines cover 19 domestic destinations encompassing major Philippine cities and 24 foreign destinations. This is the only airline with IOSA accredited, that stands for IATA Operational Safety Audit.
This airline is also a 3-star airline rated by Skytrax.
The destinations covered now include domestic destinations to notable ones and also serves 24 foreign destinations including Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea in East Asia and in South East Asia it covers Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. Philippine Airline flights serve Australia, Canada, U.S. and Guam as well.
This airline is having plans to resume air services to India.
