The airline business is full of surprises. Just today, I received one. Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced the appointment of Richard Nuttall, a British executive with extensive experience in the airline field, as its new President. He will assume the position on May 29, 2025.
This decision signals PAL’s strong commitment to enhancing its leadership team and pursuing a more robust strategy in the international market. In his new role, Nuttall will report directly to Dr. Lucio C. Tan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Lucio C. Tan III, President and Chief Operating Officer of PAL Holdings Inc., the parent company of Philippine Airlines.
Lucio Tan III expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment, stating, “Appointing Richard Nuttall to Philippine Airlines is an important part of our medium-term and long-term strategy of building a robust management team and growing our business internationally. As President, he will play an active role in bringing a global dimension to the Heart of the Filipino, and I look forward to working closely with him in the days and months ahead.”
Experienced airline CEO
Nuttall brings considerable experience to PAL. His career includes leadership roles in airlines across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. His most recent position was Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines. During his tenure there, he successfully spearheaded a turnaround that led the carrier back to operational profitability and made a notable contribution to the expansion of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
Dr. Lucio C. Tan also welcomed the new President, saying, “Philippine Airlines has always been committed to working with the best people across all levels, and I welcome Richard Nuttall as a worthy addition to an already formidable team. I am confident that he will create and develop sustainable growth for PAL.”
Furthermore, Richard Nuttall served as an Executive Board Member of the SkyTeam Alliance. In this capacity, he contributed to the reform of the Alliance’s governance structure, aiming to accelerate decision-making processes and deepen the level of collaboration among member airlines.
Capt. Stanley is moving up
So you might be wondering what will happen to Captain Stanley Ng, the current PAL President and Chief Operating Officer. He will become the Vice President of PAL Holdings Inc. and will also serve as a member of the airline’s Board of Directors. In these new roles, Captain Ng is expected to provide strategic direction and oversight to guide the flag carrier toward a new level of service and increased profitability.
Captain Ng shared his thoughts on the appointment, saying, “I warmly welcome Mr. Nuttall to the PAL Group. I believe that under his leadership, we will sustain the momentum we’ve built over the past years. Now, I’m ready to take on this new role with renewed focus and commitment.”
Supporting the new President will be Carlos Luis Fernandez, who will assume the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, also effective May 29, 2025.
Richard Nuttall himself commented on his new role, stating, “I am honored to join Philippine Airlines at such a pivotal time. The airline has accomplished so much in recent years, and I look forward to building on that progress as we explore new avenues for growth.”
PAL’s future lies in Richard Nuttall’s hands
Looking to the future, Philippine Airlines remains focused on long-term growth and the modernization of its aircraft fleet, even as the global airline market faces increased instability and uncertainty. The airline expects to receive the first of nine Airbus A350-1000 aircraft this year, which will become PAL’s flagship long-haul aircraft. Additionally, PAL is rolling out newly refurbished A321ceos with upgraded cabins and is scheduled to take delivery of 13 brand-new A321neos starting in 2026.
Building on its recent financial performance, Philippine Airlines is optimistic about maintaining its current positive momentum throughout 2025. The airline reported a net income of PHP 10.01 billion in 2024, following record earnings of PHP 21 billion in 2023. This consistent financial performance strengthens PAL’s position as a resilient and competitive player in the airline market.
I still hope that PAL will place more aircraft orders and improve its overall hard product with a more consistent offering, newer planes, and a shift toward greater digitalization and the use of AI for more efficient and streamlined operations.
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!
