Airbus delivers Philippine Airlines' first A321 jet

Philippine Airlines has received the first of 44 single-aisle A321 jets it ordered from Airbus, the Europe-based jet manufacturer said in a news release Wednesday.

 

“We are excited about the A321 not only because its size fit our expansion plans, but the flexibility it gives us in matching the aircraft to specific route requirements is tremendous,” PAL president and CEO Ramon Ang was quoted as saying in the news release.

 

Airbus also said that aside from the 44 A321s, Philippine Airlines also ordered 20 widebody A330s for its fleet modernization program.

 

Airbus added that PAL will also acquire four A340-300s for deployment on new non-stop services to Europe which are scheduled to begin next month.

 

The A321 jet was delivered to PAL at the Airbus delivery center in Hamburg, Germany.

 

“With the A321 we will be able to add capacity without compromising comfort, offering our passengers a choice between full premium class and a great range of value fares,”

 

Airbus said Philippine Airlines ordered a two class layout for its A321s. The PAL A321s will have 12 seats in Business Class and 187 in Economy and will deploy these jets “primarily on international routes across the Asian region, as well as on selected domestic flights.”

 

Air bus also said PAL “will take delivery of the first of its 20 new A330s in the third quarter of the year.” 

 

The A321 is the largest variant of the single aisle A320 class of jets. 

 

“The addition of the A321 to the PAL fleet reflects a general move towards larger aircraft types in all the various size categories – including the single aisle market,” Airbus chief operating officer for customers John Leahy said.

 

Leahy said PAL will gain from “the additional seat count and unbeatable operating costs” the A321 offers.” — ELR, GMA News