Philippine Airlines will increase flights to cater to rising demand from travelers during the lunar Chinese New Year, which falls on February 14 this year.

The airlines will arrange a special charter flight, A320, from Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, to Kalibo, gateway to the resort island of Boracay, on February 14 and the return service on February 18, Manila Bulletin reported Tuesday.

To accommodate the expected surge in travelers during the holidays, Philippine Airlines will switch to widebody Boeing 747- 400 and Airbus A330-300 aircraft from the single-aisle A320 normally deployed on its regular Manila-Beijing and Manila- Shanghai routes between February 11 and February 21.

Specific regular flights between Manila and Hong Kong on February 12, 13 and 21 will also be upgraded to higher-capacity aircraft.

Special flights using airbus A320 aircraft will be operated between Taipei and Kalibo, and between Taipei and Cebu, from February 12 and 22.

The period preceding and following lunar Chinese New Year is one of the busiest periods in the travel calendar. It is a special occasion for Chinese, who traditionally mark the holidays by vacationing in neighboring countries.

(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2010)