MANILA – Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is pioneering thrice-weekly flights between Cebu and Catarman beginning March 1.

“Philippine Airlines is happy to upgrade services to Catarman through this new link from Cebu. Samar residents and travelers will now have better access to Cebu, and the new route will also give Cebuanos more options to visit Northern Samar,” PAL Express President Rabbi Ang said in a statement released on Thursday.

Ang added that the new services are part of PAL's continuing commitment to enhancing inter-island connectivity, boosting tourism and stimulating business.

"We are glad to partner with the Northern Samar government authorities and the local community in helping build up air travel to support the success of this new route to Catarman,” he said.

Flights between Cebu and Catarman will be every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

These flights will utilize an 86-seater De Havilland Dash 8 Series 400 Next Generation aircraft.

Currently, PAL has four weekly flights between Catarman and Manila.

To promote the new flights via Cebu, PAL is offering an introductory base fare for as low as PHP698 until January 31 and for travel from March 1.

Meanwhile, PAL is ramping up its Cebu-Siargao services by adding frequencies on Wednesdays and Sundays, for a total of 18 weekly flights starting March 1.

PAL also serves Siargao with two daily flights to and from Manila, and three weekly flights from Clark. (PNA)