PAL restructures management team to sustain recovery momentum –PHI

PAL Holdings Inc. (PHI), the parent firm and operator of Philippine Airlines (PAL), announced the appointment of key executives to PAL’s management team as part of the effort to sustain the flag carrier’s recovery momentum.

In 2022, the airline posted a net income of $197 million and a record-high $250 million earnings as of the first six months of 2023, further cementing its return to profitability after exiting a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy process entered into in 2021.

“PAL is on a recovery track and is now in a position to carry out major product and digital transformation initiatives in order to grow amid a more competitive and challenging aviation industry,” said PHI President Lucio Tan III.

Tan assumed the helm of PHI in May 2023.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday, PHI announced the appointment of a new chief commercial officer (CCO) for PAL.

“Please be informed that at the Board of Directors’ Meeting of Philippine Airlines (PAL) held today, August 29, 2023, the Board approved the reinstatement of the position of chief commercial officer and confirmed the appointment of Mr. Eric David Anderson to the said position with the rank of Senior Vice President,” said PHI.

Anderson previously served as PAL’s vice president for Revenue Management and Strategy, and brings years of leadership experience as director for Revenue Management and Planning at Amerijet International Airlines in the US, finance manager for Customer Service Ops for Amazon Japan, and director for Global Cargo Strategy, Alliances, and Product for US carrier Delta Air Lines.

PHI also disclosed that PAL’s Board approved the reinstatement of the position of executive vice president (EVP).

The EVP will report directly to the president and chief operating officer (COO) of PAL.

Stanley Ng currently holds the position of president and COO of PAL.

PHI, under Tan’s leadership, also implemented management changes in the flag carrier’s structure.

In July, PAL appointed Anna Isabel Villanueva-Bengzon as chief financial officer (CFO).

Prior to joining PAL, Bengzon was the deputy CFO for Global Business Power Corporation of Meralco PowerGen until July 2023.

She also worked as CFO for MediaQuest Holdings Inc., TV5 Network, Inc. and Metropac Movers Inc., as well as vice president/head of Investor Relations at PLDT Inc. — DVM, GMA Integrated News