Will Philippine Airlines reintroduce the PAL Freighter in response to the increased demand for cargo transporters? PAL operated dedicated cargo aircraft services from the 1970s until 1981. During the pandemic, PAL resumed all-cargo flights, transporting cargo in the passenger cabin. However, these are passenger planes, not freight planes.
Cargo is now a more important source of revenue for airlines. Carriers from all over the world have invested in dedicated cargo aircraft. Some airlines have converted existing passenger planes into cargo planes. As the demand for more cargo transport has increased, manufacturers are now offering P2F conversions as airlines.
PAL is also expanding its cargo operations, but will it ever operate dedicated freighters again?
The Douglas DC-3 and the Armstrong Whitworth Argosy C.Mk 1 were the two types of “PAL Freighters” used by PAL.
The Douglas DC-3 PAL Freighter
On February 14, 1946, PAL acquired the DC-3 or its army version, the C-47 Skytrain. This was PAL’s workhorse for 32 years. It was also the longest-serving aircraft in the history of the PAL fleet. The DC-3 was considered the most important airliner in history at the time. It performed well in both commercial and military operations.
The DC-3 was used by PAL for both commercial and cargo operations. They had anywhere from 5 to 30 DC-3 planes. The DC-3 was the first “PAL Freighter,” according to our wild guess, and it served in PAL until April 8, 1978.
Armstrong Whitworth Argosy C.MK 1
On May 22, 1976, the British-built Armstrong Whitworth Argosy C.MK 1 joined the PAL fleet as a full-freighter aircraft. This one also had the “PAL Freighter” badge. This was purchased from the Royal Air Force by PAL and used to expand the airline’s cargo operations.
The Argosy was delivered to PAL in a camouflage scheme and was repainted to a nearly all-white color before being repainted to the final color shown somewhere below.
As previously stated, the Argosy was used by PAL as an all-cargo transporter; it was never used as a passenger aircraft, though it can be converted into one. This was used to transport tuna and other goods between General Santos and Davao City. It was decommissioned in September 1981.
The British AW.660 Argosy was a postwar transport and cargo aircraft. It was also the final aircraft designed and manufactured by Armstrong Whitworth. Four Rolls-Royce Dart RDa.8 Mk 101 turboprop engines propelled the Argosy. It had a maximum take-off weight of 47,627 kg and a range of 5,552 km.
PAL operated only one unit of this aircraft.
Will Philippine Airlines ever bring back the PAL Freighter?
PAL is known for reintroducing classics. The iconic “Love Bus,” which first appeared on the PAL Airbus A300 in 1979, is one example. In 2019, it was reintroduced on the Airbus A350-900. During the Covid-19 pandemic, PAL operated all-cargo flights while lockdowns were in effect.
The question now is, will the ‘PAL Freighter’ return? Will PAL turn one of its planes into a permanent cargo transporter? Will a modernized “PAL Freighter” appear?
Only time will tell, as the airline has made no comment. However, this is wishful thinking. Isn’t it cool to see “PAL Freighter” painted on one of the airline’s old A320s or Q400s? It’s nice to see a classic resurrected, like the “Love Bus.”
Last but not least, the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 has a cargo version. Below is a diagram from De Havilland Canada.
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