FLEET - Philippine Airlines Welcomes Third Airbus A350-1000

Philippine Airlines (PAL) today welcomed its third Airbus A350-1000, registered RP-C3512, reinforcing the airline's ongoing fleet modernization and long-haul growth strategy.

The aircraft arrived in Manila from Airbus' delivery center in Toulouse, France, and will enter commercial service after completing the necessary regulatory and operational preparations.

The A350-1000 is PAL's flagship aircraft for long-haul operations, featuring the airline's latest Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class cabins while delivering significantly improved fuel efficiency, lower carbon emissions and larger cargo capacity than previous-generation aircraft. Philippine Airlines is the first and continues to be the only airline in Southeast Asia to operate the Airbus A350-1000.

The A350-1000 will make its debut on Philippine Airlines’ Manila–San Francisco route on August 5, 2026, initially operating Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday services before transitioning to daily flights in September, bringing PAL’s newest premium long-haul travel experience to even more customers.

RP-C3512 is the third of nine Airbus A350-1000 aircraft ordered by Philippine Airlines in 2023. Last week at the Farnborough International Airshow, PAL announced orders for nine additional Airbus A350-1000s and 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, with options for five more of each aircraft type. Together, these commitments underscore the airline's long-term strategy to modernize its fleet and strengthen its international network.

Philippine Airlines plans to resume Kalibo – Seoul Incheon service, with A321 between 19 January and 28 February 2023.

 Aviator Daily News - Photo: Duncan Stewart - LAX

PAL still in investor talks; confirms fleet expansion

Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino Int'l) has made a filing with the Philippine Stock Exchange, confirming that it is still in ongoing talks with a foreign strategic investor and that those discussions may carry on to next year.
"The amount of percentage of investment has not been agreed upon and the completion of the transaction is likewise not determined at this time," the statement says.
As previously reported, Philippine Airlines is looking for a strategic partner to take up to 40% of the airline. COO Jaime Bautista told reporters this week that, at a minimum, he is looking for an investor to take 10%.
"It should at least be 10 percent. Not lower. If it's too small, it would not be worth it anymore," Bautista said, as reported in The Philippine Star. "Discussions continue. It may happen this year or next year."

In February this year, Bautista said that he expected the process to take time as it was a complicated investment. Currently, the company is owned 89.8% by Lucio Tan, who is also the airline's CEO and Chairman. 

In another statement, the airline also confirmed that it is setting aside USD2 billion for its fleet expansion program, namely for the acquisition of twelve Dash 8-400, two B777-300(ER)s and six A350-900s by 2019.

ch aviation  

Photo:Duncan Stewart - LAX

PHILIPPINES AIRLINES - A330-300 - F-WWKG

Alain Charpentier - TLS

PHILIPPINES AIRLINES - A330-300 - F-WWYQ

PHILIPPINES AIRLINES - A330-300 - F-WWYJ

Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

Philippine Airlines Opens Reservations for London Return

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has opened reservations for its anticipated return to UK skies, although surprisingly it appears that the carrier has been able to source lucrative slots at London’s Heathrow Airport for a new five times weekly link with the Filipino capital Manila from November 4, 2013. PAL is set to launch flights to at least five European cities as it seeks to quickly resume flights following the lifting of a three-year-old European Union ban that restricted the carrier from serving the continent.

A ruling in July this year that oversight improvements by the Southeast Asian nation’s aviation authorities meant it was now able to ensure compliance with safety regulations could also see new long-haul links introduced between Manila and Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid Paris, and Rome within the next six months.

Although the ban has only been in force for three years, it is 15 years since Philippine Airlines last provided regular scheduled services to Europe. The carrier is now in a much stronger position to be able to serve the European market and the significant ethnic and leisure demand thanks to its recent fleet evolution. The routes are likely to be served using a mix of Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 777-300 equipment. PAL currently has a fleet of eight A330-300s and five 777-300s, the latter presently being used on routes to Sydney, Tokyo Narita, Toronto and Vancouver.

London Heathrow currently accounts for over one fifth of all passengers flying between Europe and the Philippines but was thought unlikely to be the destination for PAL in the UK capital, due to its capacity constraints. It is understood that the carrier had agreed a tentative deal to serve London Gatwick, but was able to secure some suitable Heathrow slots to launch the route.

Its current GDS inventory shows a far from perfect schedule with three different departure slots across the five weekly schedule, although these are all within a 25 minute arrival window in London (14:00, 14:15 and 14:25) and three hour departure period (16:15, 17:15 and 19:05). This means all five rotations will be able to depart Manila in the early morning and arrive back in the Filipino capital in the afternoon. The flights are scheduled to be operated using 777-300s.



In the table below we highlight in greater detail the largest O&D markets in Europe from/to the Philippines last year. Unsurprisingly, the six city markets proposed by PAL are all within the stop seven European destinations by demand, the only addition being a second city in Italy, Milan. Cathay Pacific is the dominant airline between the two markets with a 20.0% share of the 2012 traffic, followed by Emirates Airline (15.2%), KLM (12.5%), Etihad Airways (12.3%) and Qatar Airways (10.6%).
Routes

PHILIPPINES AIRLINES - A330-300 - F-WWYJ

Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

Philippine Airlines to resume London Gatwick from December

Philippine Airlines has reportedly set December 1 as the date it will resume its Manila to London Gatwick flights following its recent extrication from the EU Banned Operators List. The flights will likely be operated, at least initially, with a fleet of recently acquired ex-Iberia A340-300s. The Philippines will hold discussions with Rome and Paris in the next six months for the resumption of flights between Manila and Rome Fiumicino and Paris CDG. Filipino Civil Aeronautics Board executive director, Carmelo Arcilla, said discussions with Rome are set for September 4-5, and that with France in January.

Philippine Airlines takes delivery of first A321

Carrier adds capacity with comfort on largest model of A320 Family



Philippine Airlines (PAL) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321. The aircraft was handed over at the Airbus delivery centre in Hamburg, Germany yesterday and is the first of 64 new Airbus aircraft ordered by the airline in 2012 under a major fleet modernisation programme. These include 44 single aisle A321s and 20 widebody A330s.

Philippine Airlines has specified a two class layout for its A321s, with 12 seats in Business Class and 187 in Economy. The airline will operate its new A321s primarily on international routes across the Asian region, as well as on selected domestic flights.

“We are excited about the A321 not only because its size fit our expansion plans, but the flexibility it gives us in matching the aircraft to specific route requirements is tremendous,” said Ramon Ang, President and CEO, Philippine Airlines. “With the A321 we will be able to add capacity without compromising comfort, offering our passengers a choice between full premium class and a great range of value fares.”

“The addition of the A321 to the PAL fleet reflects a general move towards larger aircraft types in all the various size categories – including the single aisle market,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “With the A321 PAL will benefit from the additional seat count and unbeatable operating costs offered by the aircraft, while offering its passengers a great in-flight experience. We are sure that the A321 will be a winner for the airline, enabling it to compete even more effectively in the fast-growing Asian market.”

The A321 joins an Airbus fleet at Philippine Airlines that already includes 22 A320 Family aircraft flying on domestic and regional routes, as well as nine in service with its budget subsidiary PAL Express. The carrier also operates eight widebody A330s on higher capacity routes across Asia and seven A340-300s on its longest services to the United States.

Following the introduction of the A321, Philippine Airlines will take delivery of the first of its 20 new A330s in the third quarter of the year. The carrier is also currently adding four A340-300s to its fleet for deployment on new non-stop services to Europe, scheduled to begin next month.

The A321 is the largest member of the best-selling single aisle A320 Family which has the lowest seat mile costs of any single aisle aircraft. As with other members of the A320 Family, the aircraft offers a wider cabin than competing single aisle products, enabling wider seats, a wider aisle and more personal space.

To date, more than 9,800 aircraft from the Family have been ordered and over 5,600 delivered to more than 385 customers and operators worldwide

Philippine Airlines to get four ex-Iberia A340-300s

Philippine Airlines has finalized a deal with Airbus Industrie  for the lease of four ex-Iberia  A340-300s namely, EC-KSE (c/n 170), EC-HGU (c/n 318), EC-HGX (c/n 332) and EC-LHM (c/n 387).

Philippine Airlines orders 10 more A330s

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has placed a firm order with Airbus for an additional 10 A330-300 widebody aircraft. The latest purchase agreement follows a major order from the airline in August for 44 single aisle A321s and 10 A330s under the carrier’s fleet modernisation programme.

For its latest order the airline has selected the 240 tonne high gross weight version of the A330, offering extra range capability. This will enable the airline to operate the aircraft non-stop from Manila to any destination in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as to the Middle East and as far as Honolulu in the US.

“This additional order will complete our current medium-to-long range requirements under our fleet modernisation programme,” said PAL Chairman Lucio Tan and PAL President Ramon S. Ang. “With the latest enhanced versions of the A330 we will be providing our passengers the highest levels of in-flight comfort, while benefitting from the low operating costs offered by these super-efficient aircraft.”

“We are extremely pleased that the A330 has been selected by Philippine Airlines to play a key role in its future fleet,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “This order once again highlights the success of the A330 as the most popular aircraft in its class, offering the lowest operating costs, proven reliability and a great in-flight experience.”

The A330 is one of the most widely-used widebody aircraft in service today. Airbus has recorded over 1,200 orders for the various versions of the aircraft, with more than 900 delivered to 120 customers and operators worldwide. In addition to passenger and freighter aircraft, the A330 is also available in VIP and military transport / tanker variants.

AIRBUS

Philippine Airlines places major order for Airbus aircraft

Airline selects A321 and A330 under fleet renewal programme

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has placed a firm order with Airbus covering 34 A321ceo, 10 A321neo and 10 A330-300s. The aircraft are being purchased under a major fleet modernisation programme at the airline, with deliveries starting in 2013.

The single aisle A321 aircraft are being purchased to enhance the airline’s product offerings on domestic and regional routes, as well as to support alliances with its partner airlines. The widebody A330s will be operated on higher demand regional routes and longer range services to the Middle East and Australia. PAL will announce engine selections for all the aircraft at a later date.

“The orders we are placing with Airbus will play a key role in revitalising PAL and growing trade and tourism in the country, said PAL Chairman Lucio Tan and PAL President Ramon S. Ang. “With these aircraft we will be able to offer more passengers the best the industry has to offer across our Asia-Pacific network. At the same time, we will benefit from the low operating costs associated with new generation aircraft and the reduced impact on the environment.”

“We are extremely pleased that Philippine Airlines has placed its confidence in our aircraft to meet its future requirements,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “This announcement demonstrates once again the popularity of both the A320 Family and the A330, which remain the leaders in their size categories in terms of operating economics, reliability and passenger comfort.”

The A321 is the largest member of the best-selling A320 Family, which offers the lowest operating costs of any single aisle product line today. These costs will be reduced even further with the arrival of the new engine option (NEO), offering additional fuel savings of 15 per cent. To date, over 8,500 A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and more than 5,200 delivered to 365 customers and operators worldwide.

The A330 is one of the most widely-used widebody aircraft in service today. Airbus has recorded over 1,200 orders for the various versions of the aircraft, with some 900 now flying with 90 operators worldwide. In addition to passenger and freighter aircraft, the A330 is also available in VIP and military transport / tanker variants.

AIRBUS

PHILIPPINES AIRLINES - A330-300, RP-C3332

Fumiaki Seno - HRT