A new B777-300ER is replacing the A340 currently being used on the four-times-weekly service, giving a total of 370 seats compared to 254 previously.
The airline’s president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said once a daily operation resumes from Heathrow on December 6, the airline will be offering 36% more seats to the destination.
While he admits the destination needs additional marketing, he is confident the extra flights and seats will help drive interest in the destination that he argues is well suited to UK travellers.
Bautista said: “There’s a need for the department of tourism to attract more tourists from the UK and Europe to visit the Philippines but a direct flight will really help the tourism department and attract more travellers.
“There’s so many places to see in the Philippines and we have more than 7,000 islands that you can explore.
“It is also an English speaking country, which a lot of people do not know. It makes getting around the Philippines an awful lot easier and the culture is something British people will love to explore and the food is something that people will want to enjoy.”
Bautista added the airline is working closely with travel trade partners in the UK to also help drive interest while the airline hosted a fam trip for 52 travel agents in March.
He also believes agents should start considering the airline as a carrier for other Far East destinations by taking advantage of its hub operation in Manila.
He said the airline offers connections to 46 international destinations and currently 52% of all the airline’s international passengers are not from the Philippines.
Bautista added growing the capacity out of London, which is it’s only direct flight to Europe, could drive further European growth.
He said: "When we take delivery of more long haul aircraft we are studying the possibility of other European destination, maybe Paris, Rome, Frankfurt and Munich.”
