Press Release

Photo 1: Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano joins Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, PAL Holdings President and COO Lucio Tan III,

Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner Michael McMurray, and PAL Executive Vice President and

COO Atty. Carlos Luis Fernandez for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting marking the inauguration of Philippine Airlines’ nonstop

Chicago–Manila service. Also in the photo are the members of the Santacruzan Cultural Group of Greater Chicago.

CHICAGO, 09 November 2026 – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, led by Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano, joined Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Philippine Airlines (PAL) Holdings President and Chief Operating Officer Lucio C. Tan III, Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner Michael McMurray, and PAL Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Atty. Carlos Luis Fernandez on 09 November 2026 for the send-off ceremony of PAL's inaugural nonstop flight from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Manila.

The ceremony, held at Terminal 5 of O'Hare International Airport, was organized by the Chicago Department of Aviation in partnership with Philippine Airlines to celebrate the launch of the historic route, marking the return of the Philippine flag carrier to Chicago after 38 years.

The inauguration of the Chicago-Manila service represents a significant milestone in Philippine-U.S. connectivity, establishing the first scheduled nonstop passenger service between the two cities and strengthening direct air links between the Philippines and the U.S. Midwest.

In their respective remarks, Mayor Johnson and Mr. Tan III highlighted the opportunities presented by the new route to expand economic engagement, facilitate tourism and business travel, and strengthen connections between the peoples of the Philippines and the United States. The new service also reinforces Chicago's position as a major international aviation hub and an important gateway between North America and Asia.

In her remarks, Consul General Diano welcomed PAL's return to Chicago as an important development in the Philippines' engagement with the U.S. Midwest, emphasizing that the significance of the new service extends beyond the convenience of nonstop travel. She also underscored the route's potential to facilitate greater trade and investment, strengthen supply chain connectivity, promote the Philippines as a tourism destination, and deepen the longstanding ties between the Philippines and the U.S. Midwest.

The new route is particularly significant for the estimated 450,000 Filipinos and Filipino Americans residing across the U.S. Midwest, providing a more convenient connection to the Philippines and facilitating family reunions, cultural exchanges, and stronger people-to-people ties.

Beyond serving the Filipino community, the nonstop service is expected to create new opportunities for American travelers and businesses to explore the Philippines. Through PAL's Manila hub, passengers from Chicago will have convenient access to major Philippine destinations, as well as onward connections to key cities across Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

PAL's Chicago–Manila service operates three times weekly, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, using Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Chicago becomes PAL's eighth destination in the United States and its territories, further expanding the airline's trans-Pacific network.

The inauguration takes on added significance as the Philippines and the United States commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, reflecting the continued expansion of bilateral engagement and the enduring friendship between the two countries. END

Photo 2: Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano joins Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, PAL Holdings

President and COO Lucio Tan III, Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner Michael McMurray,

and PAL Executive Vice President and COO Atty. Carlos Luis Fernandez for the ceremonial cake cutting

Photo 3: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delivers his remarks.

Photo 4: PAL Holdings President and COO Lucio Tan III delivers his remarks.

Photo 5: Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano delivers her remarks

Photo 6: Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano with PAL Holdings President and COO Lucio Tan III

and Consuls Melvin Almonguera, Ma. Theresa Alders, and Ella Karina Mitra-Yeager.