Gadling

The news of the downgrade is a business issue in the Philippine as much as a safety issue. Philippine Airlines caters mostly to Filipinos working in the US who fly home regularly (tourism generated by American citizens is, I suspect, only a secondary source of revenue). The number of Filipinos living and working in the US is increasing, and so is the demand for more flights.

Reply

Just to add to this story...

"A Category 2 rating prohibits PAL from increasing its 33 flights a week to the US and US territories and from changing the type or increasing the number of aircraft used on these routes, the airline added." (http://news.ph.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1190605)

"With the “Open Skies” policy prevailing between the RP and the US, American carriers are free to fly to the Philippines with unrestricted destinations and frequencies, but local carriers will be denied the same access because of the FAA rating.

Hawaiian Airlines will soon be operating regular service to Manila, clearly showing how US carriers intend to take advantage of the situation."
(http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080116hed1.html)

Reply

I have flown on many of the worlds airlines, and into many countries. The downgrade was not for the airline as much as percieved security at some airports. The security is as good as any and the airline is superior to any american carrier. the maintenance is done by lufthansa. i fly on this airline with much less concern than some of the north american carriers

Reply

Right, this downgrade wasn't for Philippine Airlines, it was for the civil aviation authority in the Philippines. All airlines; Philippine, US, or otherwise use the same airports and security procedures flying from the Philippines so saying don't fly Philippine airlines as a result of this is just bogus.

Reply