Philippine Airlines on Friday bared adding one more aircraft this week to augment its fleet and boost network reliability.
The flag carrier is scheduled to receive an Airbus A321CEO aircraft this week that can accommodate 199 passengers in dual-class configuration. The aircraft will be deployed in PAL’s domestic and regional routes.
The single-aisle jet is the first of several aircraft that PAL is working to acquire or reactivate in the coming months.
Others expected to join the fleet in the near term include an Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft with a capacity of 363 seats, to be used on medium haul routes, as well as one De Havilland Dash 8-400NG aircraft with a capacity of 86 seats to be used for PAL’s inter-island operations.
PAL also said that negotiations are also under way to secure additional aircraft.
The flag carrier is actively engaged in coordinating with its suppliers and service partners to re-activate more aircraft that have been parked for extended periods while awaiting replacement engines and parts as a consequence of delays in the global supply chain that afflict the worldwide airline industry.
“We are taking various actions to boost our fleet count and enable us to meet the continuing surge in travel demand while minimizing delays and cancellations,” Christoph Gaertner, PAL vice president for network planning said.
“We have also pro-actively reduced some frequencies on a number of routes as part of a rationalization of our schedules, so that we can ensure high reliability going forward. We are working with our suppliers as well as aircraft and engine manufacturers on initiatives to increase efficiency without compromising safety, which is our absolute top priority. This is our obligation to our passengers, who expect a pleasant flying experience when traveling on our global network,” he added.
PAL recently announced that it has firmed up the purchase of nine brand-new Airbus A350-1000 long haul aircraft for its signature routes to North America and potentially to Europe.
These 380-seater new-generation jets, to be delivered starting in 2025, will be the most advanced to fly the Philippine skies. The A350-1000 acquisition will put PAL firmly on the road towards operating one of the youngest and most modern widebody fleets in Asia.
