HONG KONG: A LONG-TIME PAL

Philippine Airlines (PAL), the first commercial airline in Asia, has always seen Hong Kong as a valued neighbor of the Philippines and a prime tourist and business destination.

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Before the outbreak of World War II, PAL planned daily flights to Hong Kong from Manila using Lockheed Model 18 Lodestars; however, this plan was shelved after war broke out in 1941 and transformed the region.

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PAL resumed post-war operations on February 14, 1946 with domestic flights to serve the needs of a fledgling republic. ?That same year, the airline established a new International Division and secured provisional certification for routes to China and the United States.

Spreading its wings beyond the homeland, PAL inaugurated non-scheduled services to Hong Kong from Manila with Douglas DC-3s on September 5, 1946. This was the start of a wonderful friendship as PAL’s flights kept pace with growing trade relations and people to people contacts between Hong Kong and the Philippines over the decades.?

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As the airline expanded its network, Hong Kong continued to loom large as one of PAL’s most important markets.

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With the acquisition of two 60-seater Douglas DC-4 aircraft in March 1949, PAL inaugurated scheduled coach service on the Manila-Hong Kong route. The bigger, pressurized, and more luxurious Douglas DC-6 took over all scheduled flights to Hong Kong on November 1, 1950. Hong Kong residents enjoyed fast and modern service to the United States by flying on PAL via Manila. ??

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By the 1950s, PAL’s international network spanned two-thirds of the world, stretching from London all the way to San Francisco through the Middle East and Asia.?

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PAL deployed modern Convair 340s on daily services to Hong Kong in 1953.? Flights to Hong Kong, along with Bangkok and Taipei, were kept on PAL’s network even as the airline was forced to close down its long-haul flights on the instructions of the Philippine Government at the end of March 30, 1954, as part of economic measures taken by the Philippines.

PAL would continue to put its best foot forward by taking delivery of jet-prop Vickers Viscounts aircraft in 1957, treating Hong Kong passengers to the comforts of jet-prop-powered flights.

Market pressures and economic conditions enabled PAL to secure approval from the Philippine Government to restart long-haul international services in 1959. ?At the same time, the airline made significant investments in the modernization of its fleet by acquiring jet aircraft.? Thus, on June 18, 1962, PAL entered the jet age when it took in the long-range Douglas DC-8 jetliner and promptly assigned the four-engine new plane on the Manila-Hong Kong route.

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Hong Kong remained a constant crowd favorite in the next few decades, given its proximity to the Philippines, world-class tourist attractions, status as a major financial hub and growing population of Filipino workers.

Through the years, Hong Kong saw PAL’s entire international fleet, from the McDonnell Douglas DC-10s in the 1970s, the Boeing 747-200s and Airbus A300s in the 1980s, and the more advanced A320s, A330s, A340s, and B747-400s in the 90s.?

The British Crown Colony may have transformed into a Special Administrative Region of China, but one thing never changed: Airplanes of Philippine Airlines continued to fly in and out of Hong Kong several times a day, gracing the old Kai Tak airport and then the current Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok with their colorful tailfins bannering the Philippine flag.

Today, PAL serves Hong Kong with three to four flights every day, operated by Boeing 777s as well as Airbus A330s, A350s and A321s.?

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PAL and Hong Kong have become long-time pals, sharing a warm and cordial relationship solidified by decades of connection.