Originally Posted by
EWR764
The bilateral agreement between the US and the Philippines is highly restrictive. I'll go back and check to see if there have been any updates, but it strictly limits routes, gauge and frequency.
I knew about the frequency limits, but I wasn’t aware of gauge and route limits. I’d be very surprised to learn that the US had ceded exclusive right to nonstop service to the mainland to PR, though.
Originally Posted by
EWR764
For its MNL-GUM/ROR service, United currently uses the legacy Continental/Air Micronesia route authority, which is limited to serving the Philippines from Guam, Saipan and Palau. This also included now-discontinued routes of MNL-SPN and GUM-CEB. United historically served MNL (acquired from PA) from Japan as part of a one-stop service from the USA, but that authority may have been surrendered. Consequently, United might not hold the rights to serve a nonstop widebody route to the USA.
I don’t know the details of the agreement, but I would hope that UA would have taken steps to keep the authority dormant rather than surrendering it entirely, assuming that was possible. (Generally, I don’t think route authorities get yanked unless another airline complains).
Originally Posted by
ROCUAflyer
Interesting but I agree this is about Guam. I doubt UA will fly mainland to MNL; as others have said there probably isn’t enough premium to support a direct flight for UA. PAL will beat them on price every time but maybe there’s enough loyal star flyers? The ANA NRT-MNL flight felt like it was at least half UA connections if not more; of course this is only anecdotal and one flight.
Flying PR isn’t exactly the most wonderful experience in the world; I suspect that UA could gain market share head-to-head if prices were similar, but I’m not sure that UA would want to enter the market if its best case scenario is matching PR’s prices.
UA, prove me wrong...
