Heathrow has announced it will be hosting the first direct service between the Philippines and the UK in more than ten years.

The route will be run by Philippine Airlines (PAL) after choosing Heathrow over other airports - despite lower landing charges available elsewhere.

Chief executive for the airport Colin Matthews said: "Whilst it's a success story for Heathrow and the UK, linking British business to trading opportunities in a key emerging market, it also shows the challenge of putting these links in place."

Of the approximate 349,000 European visitors entering the Philippines last year, a third were from the UK. In the first half of this year, there have been 60,234 arrivals from the UK.

This will be the airline's first route to Europe since they were discontinued in 1998. PAL has also stated interest in more daily flights should the slots become open.

Services will start on November 4th, flying to and from Manila five times a week.