There’s a fresh wave of dedication and drive surging through the corridors of Philippine Airlines (PAL). PAL’s President and COO, Capt. Stanley Ng, is deeply committed to steering the airline towards becoming one of the premier airlines in Asia. To this end, his strategy involves augmenting the fleet size with state-of-the-art, efficient aircraft. PAL has recently made strides in this direction, declaring via an MoU their decision to acquire 9 Airbus A350-1000 widebody jets. PAL is also aiming to overhaul their medium-haul fleet “in the next three to four years”, with the Airbus A350-900, A330neo, and Boeing 787 being considered as potential candidates.
Capt. Ng revealed this ambitious plan in an interview with FlightGlobal during the IATA AGM event in Istanbul, emphasizing that PAL is currently assessing various alternatives for their medium-haul fleet. The fleet, presently handled by A330-300s, is fulfilling its role commendably, serving Australia, the Middle East, and regional routes. Yet, in line with PAL’s aspiration for net-zero emissions by 2050, the company is scouting for eco-friendly aircraft that could join its fleet.
The Blueprint of a Powerful and Sustainable Fleet
At this juncture, PAL could opt for the A350-900 and complement it with the A330neo and the Boeing 787, or simply choose a combination of two from the trio. The specifics are yet to be finalized, with all options still being a “possibility.”
Adding the Boeing 787, particularly the 787-9, to their arsenal could empower PAL to unlock more routes from alternative hubs like Clark and Cebu. Given the existing congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), this move is a strategic answer to decongest NAIA. This may enable passengers to fly directly to the United States or perhaps Europe from Visayas and Central Luzon hubs. This strategy also holds the potential to transform Cebu and Clark into significant transit points connecting Asia and the United States.
The Boeing 787, known for its higher payload and longer range compared to the A330neo, will offer PAL an opportunity to launch additional long-haul routes and tap into more cargo markets. It might not accommodate as many passengers as the A350-900, but it’s perfectly suited for routes with leaner passenger loads, enabling PAL to initiate more long-haul services from Cebu and Clark to the United States and Europe.
Harnessing Aircraft Potentials: A350-900 and A330
Currently serving PAL on ultra-long-haul routes to Toronto and New York JFK, the A350-900 is an integral part of the fleet. While there are ongoing plans to reconfigure these aircraft to house 313 seats, they presently offer 295 seats in a three-class configuration. These aircraft are poised to partner with the A350-1000s in providing long-haul services during peak seasons, and could also be deployed during off-peak seasons. They’re being eyed as potential vehicles to facilitate PAL’s return to Europe.
In contrast, the A330 has consistently proved its mettle for PAL’s regional and medium-haul needs, particularly for Middle East flights. This aircraft could potentially replace the bi-class A330-300s, serving Middle East destinations like Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, and Dammam. It could also serve regional routes requiring higher capacity. Even though these planes may lack the range of the 787-9, their passenger capacity makes them ideally suited for PAL’s Middle East operations.
Extending the Reach
PAL’s vision extends beyond facilitating the transit of Filipinos between the Philippines and other countries. It aims to establish the Philippines as a transit nexus between Asia, Australia, the United States, and Europe. Such a fleet plan would indeed bestow PAL with enhanced flexibility, allowing for an optimized fleet tailored to diverse routes.
It’s heartening to witness PAL’s evolution from a traditional, conservative airline to one that is embracing change and venturing into new markets. The transformation has been both strategic and aggressive, but never before seen in the company. Under the “PIC” (Pilot-in-Command) of Capt. Stanley Ng, PAL has been recording profits, and its services are gradually improving. The journey of progress might be gradual, but it’s surely headed in the right direction.
As of now, no final announcement regarding the medium-haul fleet order has been made. However, the company’s dynamic plan and clear vision assure us that there are thrilling times ahead. I am eagerly awaiting further updates and anticipate an order announcement soon.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
