MANILA, Philippines–As volcanic ash clouds from Chile grounded flights in Western Australia, particularly Perth, Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Thursday advised passengers that all flights to Melbourne and Sydney continue to operate normally.
PAL made the assurance amid concerns on the trans-pacific movement of volcanic cloud from Chile’s Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano which erupted last June 5.
PAL is the only Philippine carrier that flies to the Australian Region via daily flights to Sydney and Melbourne. The flag carrier flies to both destinations once daily for a total of 7 times weekly, using the 264-seater Airbus-340-300.
While all PAL flights to Sydney and Melbourne are “green and go”, the flag carrier is closely monitoring the volcano’s spewed ash which has reached parts of Australia and New Zealand, said PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna.
Should the situation worsen, Villaluna said PAL will immediately inform its Australia-bound passengers on any disruptive effect of the volcanic cloud on the air service to Sydney and Melbourne.
“Our commitment to the highest standards of safety remains a top priority. So far, the volcanic cloud movement from the volcano in Chile poses no imminent danger to our flights to Australia,” PAL said in a statement.
For more information, passengers are advised to visit PAL’s website at www.philippineairlines.com.ph or call the PAL reservations hotline at 855-8888. Postings on the official PAL Twitter and Face Book accounts will be provided, as needed.