William Dennis

Once debt-ridden, Philippine Airlines (PAL) has emerged as one of the fastest growing carriers in its region.

 


On June 8 it launched a daily Manila-Kuala Lumpur flight using Airbus A321s after a lapse of four years. Despite the presence of Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines with seven daily services on the route, PAL is confident of making an impression. Last month PAL also introduced a daily Tagbilaran-Incheon service, making it the sixth Filipino city to connect with South Korea, joining Manila, Cebu, Clark, Kalibo and Puerto Princesa.

 


PAL has begun reconfiguring its fleet of 15 Airbus A330-300s from an all-economy-class layout that seats 414 passengers to a three-class, business, premium economy and economy class arrangement designed to seat 309.

 


PAL placed the first reconfigured aircraft on international routes last month, starting with Dubai and Honolulu. This month it inducts more on its Melbourne and Doha routes, followed by Sydney and Riyadh in August, Singapore, Kuwait and Jeddah in September, Tokyo Haneda in October, Tokyo Narita in November and Osaka in December.

 


Now serving eight destinations in China, its biggest market, the airline hopes to penetrate the country still further, adding to Beijing, Shanghai, Jinjiang, Macau, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Hong Kong.

 


PAL plans to deploy two Boeing 777-300ERs leased from Intrepid Aviation on a long-term basis starting in December on the London route, replacing its Airbus A340-300.

 


Six Airbus A350-900s it ordered will arrive on a staggered basis starting mid-2018. PAL expects to decide either late this year or early next year on the possibility of launching flights to Frankfurt and Rome with the delivery of the aircraft.

 


Domestically, PAL recently boosted operations at Clark International Airport (CIA) as part of its plans to develop its third hub. On June 22 it launched three-times-weekly &nbsp;flights to Bacolod and a daily service to Tagbilaran. Four-times-weekly service to Cagayan de Oro started the following day. The carrier currently operates to Caticlan, Busuanga, Cebu, Davao and Puerto Princesa from Clark.

 


Incheon remains the only international route operated by PAL from CIA, the former U.S. military base located some 43 nautical miles outside Manila. Manila and Cebu account for PAL’s other two hubs.

 


The carrier currently operates a fleet of 81 aircraft consisting of 777-300ERs, A340-300s, A330-300s, A321s and A320s.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Fast-Growing Philippine Airlines Emerging as Regional Power

Eyes China expansion following recent additions of routes to Malaysia and South Korea 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Britain's new government is under pressure to invest in public infrastructure

How Regional Air Mobility Could Boost the UK's Strained Transport Network

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Danish charter and scheduled operator could buy up to 15 of the electric seaplanes

Nordic Seaplanes Signs for Elfly's Noemi Electric Amphibious Aircraft

Odys' blown-wing design is being developed for both uncrewed freighter and piloted airliner roles

Fiji Airways Plans To Connect Pacific Islands with Laila VTOL

Scotland-based regional airline aims to achieve zero carbon emissions

Loganair and Heart Team To Decarbonize UK Domestic Flights

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

UK green start-up airline wants to operate domestic services with zero carbon emissions

Ecojet Plans To Operate Arc Aerosystems' Linx P9 Hybrid Helicopter

Cathy Buyck

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

The Boeing electronic flight bag solution will support the low-cost carrier’s 737NG and Max fleet

Ryanair to Use Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro 5.0 EFB 

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

More In Airlines

How Regional Air Mobility Could Boost the UK's Strained Transport Network

Britain's new government is under pressure to invest in public infrastructure

Nordic Seaplanes Signs for Elfly's Noemi Electric Amphibious Aircraft

Danish charter and scheduled operator could buy up to 15 of the electric seaplanes

Fiji Airways Plans To Connect Pacific Islands with Laila VTOL

Odys' blown-wing design is being developed for both uncrewed freighter and piloted airliner roles

Loganair and Heart Team To Decarbonize UK Domestic Flights

Scotland-based regional airline aims to achieve zero carbon emissions

Ecojet Plans To Operate Arc Aerosystems' Linx P9 Hybrid Helicopter

UK green start-up airline wants to operate domestic services with zero carbon emissions

Ryanair to Use Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro 5.0 EFB

The Boeing electronic flight bag solution will support the low-cost carrier’s 737NG and Max fleet

EVA Air Selects GEnx Engines to Power Additional Boeing 787s

The Taiwanese airline already operates 15 GEnx-powered 787s

Wilbur Air Plans to Operate Crisalion's Integrity eVTOL in Australia

Wilbur Air is a subsidiary of advanced air mobility ground infrastructure group Skyportz

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN