Just found this article, have to admit I found it a bit late, rather like the response to CCT by 'The House of Representatives' So back in March a day or two after the last European carrier pulled out of direct flights to Manila from Europe the House of Representatives exempts international air carriers from 2 taxes that only the Philippines charges, whoop dee doo, got to congratulate you on that timely decision gentlemen
At last some common sense, now what they need to do is give European airlines some incentive to start direct flights, run an ad campaign in Europe and the tourists will come!
Sadly this change in Philippine law happened 7 months ago just after KLM pulled out, it was too late to affect their decision
So let me see......time in Cardiff airport waiting, then on to Amsterdam time waiting there, again on to Taiwan and again time wasted there, then at last on to Phil.......hmmm what a lovely holiday that's going to be.....! the trip has been that long I'd forgot about what I was going for. maybe one day someone somewhere will get it right. I hope.
I do agree, it's a pain but it's only one and a half hours on the tarmac in Taiwan, I enjoy my wait in Schiphol but I'm not so sure about enjoying nearly two hours stuck on the ground in Taiwan, it could be worse they might have pulled out altogether, I always found the KLM flight better than the alternatives others disagree though
That was a clear PR stunt by the House of Representatives intended to make KLM look foolish. In point of fact, both CCT and GPB remain in place and that's one reason Qatar stopped its Doha-Cebu service a month or so after KLM stopped its direct flight to Europe.
I would find "time on the Pan" awaiting clearance from Taiwan a real pain. Had one such with Emirates at Ceylon on way to Singers. Never went that route again 'tho' it was cheaper. The BHX, DXB (Dubai) stopover 2 1/2 hours then MNL is my trip of choice. The alternative Emirates flight to HK is almost £200 cheaper than MNL which pays for a HK hotel and Cebu flight. We are planning our next trip and V Dubai with Emirates is likely to be the one we chose. Tom PS : Just checked EK.... To MNL £933 to HK £575 = LOCO not to go HK.? Dates 6 Nov - 20 Mar for example so £358 cheaper per person - Cebu Pacific ticket price & Hotel in HK.
I went V Dubai with Emirates but the stop over was 8 hours, walking up and down the airport all the dam time, and no I couldn't sleep..! by the time I got to hotel in Phil I was *^%$
Good to know about the prices. Just been looking at flights for my wife, seems it would work out better all round if she gets a flight from Cebu - Manila - Hong Kong - Manchester.
Fair point, but in reality it makes the House of Representatives look foolish, it is a great shame they have been so thick
For heaven's sake cut-out the Manila bit and book Cebu-Hong Kong-Manchester! Your wife will be eternally grateful not to have to transit NAIA but rather look out of the window and view it from 35,000 feet forty minutes or so into her flight.
We gratefully avoid Manila NAIA's suspect electronics and "delays" in favour of Cebu on the way in but Tex likes to leave Via Manila, as 3 sisters and families live there, but I hate the Capital. Any Capital City. ? OK then ROMA & London I like .... Singers also. Tom
I did. The Cebu ticket goes via Manila to Hong Kong. There are a few flights that go straight there but I want to time it just right so my wife would get to Hong Kong with just a couple of hours spare, enough time to make her way to the other gate/terminal. Though I will check flight times closer to the time!
Looks like KLM have started that route again... Leave Mon, 07 Jan 2013 Total time: 17hr 50min Depart 17:35 Manchester, Manchester Intl (MAN ) KLM KL1094 L ECONOMY Boeing 737 Arrive 19:55 Amsterdam, Schiphol Arpt (AMS ) Depart 20:45 Amsterdam, Schiphol Arpt (AMS ) KLM KL0807 N ECONOMY Boeing 77W Arrive 19:25 Manila, Ninoy Aquino Intl (MNL ) price £ 685 return. Return leg was much longer and had a few dogey change overs
Don't think so Jim, check the flight again there is a line Please note that this flight has 1 stop This flight arrives 1 day later. that is the stop at Taipei on the AMS-MNL leg, it's not direct although they show it in the booking tool as being direct.
Yes, the worst short stop-over I ever experienced at Schiphol was about 1 hour 15 minutes and that was tight, with 50 minutes you would just be running direct to the gate.
