PAL bullish on the Philippines; orders 9 more Airbus A350-1000 jets
Philippine Airlines chairman Dr. Lucio C. Tan said in October 1998, “Philippine Airlines is the Philippines and the Philippines is Philippine Airlines.”
Almost three decades later, those words continue to soar within PAL.
In a vote of confidence in and for the Philippines, PAL has inked with Airbus and Rolls-Royce “definitive agreements” covering nine additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with purchase rights for five more, and Trent XWB-97 engines.
PAL Holdings Inc. president and chief operating officer Lucio C. Tan III, in formal signing ceremonies at The Peninsula Manila Hotel, affirmed that the firm order with both Airbus and Rolls-Royce “is a significant investment in the future of Philippine Airlines and reflects our confidence in the continued growth of our international network and our ability to compete in an increasingly demanding global aviation environment.”
“Fleet modernization remains a key priority for Philippine Airlines,” he said.
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For his part, PAL president Richard Nutall said that despite the uncertainties and the variables beyond its control (read: fuel prices), the airline is “very bullish about the future, (and) the Philippines. Demographics are very good.”
“When it comes to making decisions on fleet, you have to take them six, seven years in advance. And we have network plans that we built out for 10 years.”
“The aircraft that we’re selecting today are going to be with us until the 2050s,” Nutall pointed out.
PAL remains the first and only airline in Southeast Asia to fly the A350-1000. Passengers already enjoy it on nonstop flights to the East and West Coasts of the United States and to Canada.
“We have seen what this aircraft can do. It has allowed us to fly nonstop to North America with better fuel efficiency and a better experience for our passengers,” Tan said.
He pointed out that 65 of PAL’s 86 aircraft in service are Airbus aircraft, “forming the backbone of our domestic, regional, and international operations.”
“Our partnership with Rolls-Royce is equally important. The Trent XWB-97 engines power our A350-1000 fleet, providing the performance and efficiency required for our long-haul operations,” he added.
Tan said PAL must be future-proof.
“For eight and a half decades, we have connected people, businesses and communities across the Philippines and around the world. As we honor that legacy, we must also prepare for the decades ahead, and today’s agreements are an important part of that preparation,” he stressed.
“We need a modern, efficient, and capable fleet to support our growth, strengthen our competitiveness, and ensure that we are prepared for the demands of the future. We recognize that achieving this requires long and dependable partnerships. Our partnership with Airbus began in 1978 and has grown into one of the most important relationships in our history,” he pointed out.
The contract signing follows the Memoranda of Understanding announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in July. The firm order brings PAL’s total A350-1000 commitment to 18 aircraft.
The additional aircraft will bring the A350-1000 experience to more of PAL’s long-haul network in the future.
“We are proud that PAL is strongly expanding its A350-1000 flagship fleet, flying the flag of the Philippines across the world,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP for sales of the Airbus Commercial Aircraft business.
A better journey
The A350-1000 has a quieter cabin, larger windows, a lower cabin altitude and higher humidity, so passengers arrive more rested after long flights.
In Business Class, the “Mabuhay Studios” suites, designed with Lift Aero Design, offer 42 full-flat seats with sliding privacy doors and direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 layout. Each has a 20-inch 4K screen, free full-flight Wi-Fi for messaging, browsing and streaming, and wireless charging.
Premium Economy offers spacious recliners with leg rest and footrest, a 13.3-inch 4K screen and free messaging and browsing. In Economy, seats have a 32-inch pitch, four-way adjustable headrests, and a personal device holder. Every seat in both cabins has its own entertainment screen and USB-A and USB-C charging.
“This agreement marks an important milestone in deepening our partnership with Philippine Airlines. Being the long-range leader, the A350-1000 is the perfect platform for the airline to build its future long-haul network and meet continued growth, especially in competitive premium transpacific markets,” added Saint-Exupery.
On Schedule
Each aircraft is powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97, the exclusive engine for the A350-1000, known for its reliability and fuel efficiency. The agreement includes Rolls-Royce’s TotalCare service program, which provides comprehensive engine maintenance and support to keep aircraft available and flights on schedule.
Rolls-Royce chief customer officer Ewen McDonald said: “Our partnership goes back many years, and this order highlights Philippine Airlines’ continued confidence in the Trent XWB-97’s proven reliability and efficiency.”
PAL said these next-generation aircraft will give customers more travel options and a more seamless journey. “
“We take pride in (PAL’s) legacy, but we must also look ahead and make the investments needed to ensure that Philippine Airlines remains strong and competitive for generations to come. Today’s agreements are a very important part of that commitment,” Tan, grandson of Dr. Lucio C. Tan, said.
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