TTTĐ – Philippine Airlines has officially launched its direct flight service connecting Manila and Da Nang, increasing the total number of weekly flights on this route to 12. The new service aims to strengthen tourism exchange between the two cities.
On the afternoon of July 1, the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism held a welcoming ceremony for flight PR585 – Philippine Airlines’ first direct flight to Da Nang – which landed at Da Nang International Airport carrying 193 passengers.
The new service operates three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and is scheduled to increase to four weekly flights starting November 2025. The flights are operated using Airbus A321 aircraft, offering 199 seats, including 12 in business class.
A series of celebratory activities took place during the inaugural event, including a traditional water cannon salute, cultural performances, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and the presentation of flowers and souvenirs to arriving passengers.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai An, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, stated:
“The launch of this route coincides with Da Nang’s strategic expansion in geographic space and tourism ecosystem. This is a positive signal for the tourism sector. The city will continue diversifying its markets, especially in Southeast Asia, by promoting and expanding international flight networks.”
According to data from the General Statistics Office, Da Nang welcomed more than 65,000 visitors from the Philippines in 2024. In just the first five months of 2025, the number has already exceeded 49,000 — more than 2.2 times higher than the same period last year — indicating the city’s rising popularity among Filipino tourists.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the national carrier of the Philippines. Its fleet includes Boeing, Airbus, and De Havilland aircraft, operating scheduled direct flights from its hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao to 31 domestic and 38 international destinations across Asia, North America, Australia, and the Middle East. Currently, PAL operates 24 direct flights weekly from Vietnam (Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi) to the Philippines.
Mr. Richard Nuttall, President of Philippine Airlines, commented: “We are proud to connect Da Nang with Manila, offering passengers in Central Vietnam the opportunity to experience the warmth of Filipino hospitality and seamless access to our expansive network, including destinations in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan.”
Source: Tuoi Tre Thu Do Newspaper
