PAL acquires 5 more A320 aircraft for domestic network

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Wednesday has accepted the delivery of the first five additional Airbus A320 aircraft to cater to its domestic route network, with another one expected to be added to its fleet before the end of the year.

PAL said three more A320s – configured to carry 180 passengers – will be added in 2026, as the carrier seeks to increase flight frequency and provide more connections between major Philippine hubs and regional destinations.

“By expanding our A320 fleet, we are providing travelers with more reliable, convenient, and comfortable options,” PAL Express president Rabbi Vincent Ang said in an emailed statement.

PAL is undertaking several fleet enhancement initiatives, such as the modernization of long-haul routes with Airbus A350-1000s, the upgrades to existing narrow-body aircraft, and plans to acquire new A321neo jets.

“Right-sizing our fleet enables PAL to maintain and improve our on-time performance (OTP) scores, ensuring we continue to operate with the highest standards of reliability, safety, and efficiency,” Ang said.

Just last month, nearly a hundred of flights, including PAL trips, were either canceled or delayed due to the software update for the Airbus A320 family of jets. Carriers have since upgraded their respective softwares. — JMA, GMA Integrated News