MANILA, Philippines - Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced Thursday that it has added flight frequencies, new routes, and bigger aircraft to accommodate the expected rise in travelers during the holiday season.

In a statement, the Lucio Tan-owned airline said it has launched special charter flights on the following routes and dates:

• Taipei-Kalibo-Taipei: December 16, 2009 to March 27, 2010
• Cebu-Incheon (South Korea)-Cebu: December 24, 2009 onwards
• Manila-Kansai (Japan)-Cebu-Manila: December 30, 2009
• Manila-Cebu-Kansai-Manila: January 3, 2010
• Manila-Haneda (Japan)-Cebu: December 30, 2009
• Cebu-Haneda-Manila: January 2, 2010
• Cebu-Narita-Cebu: January 4, 2010
• Cebu-Narita-Manila: January 8, 2010

PAL said it will also use bigger aircraft on the following destinations:

• Melbourne-Sydney: December 18 to 19, 2009 (B747-400)
• Guam: December 18 to 19, 2009 and January 2 to 3, 2010 (A330)
• Singapore: January 2 and 3, 2010 (A330)
• Hong Kong: December 20 and 26, 2009 and January 2 and 3, 2010 (B747, A330, and B777-300ER)
• Macau: December 20, 2009 and January 3, 2010 (A330)
• Bangkok: December 26, 29, and 30, 2009, and January 3, 2010 (B747-400)

Meanwhile, PAL said frequencies to Vancouver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Sydney, and Melbourne have been increased by one or 2 flights per week, while 2 to 3 weekly flights were added to Singapore and Bangkok.

On the other hand, the airline said thrice-a-day flights to Kalibo were increased to 29 flights a week, while the daily service to Butuan was increased to 11 times a week.

Passengers may check flight schedules online or by calling PAL Reservations at 855-8888.