PAL boosts long-haul fleet with 9 new Airbus A350-1000

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is boosting its long-haul fleet with the acquisition of nine additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, PAL said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Airbus for the nine new aircraft “with purchase rights for five more.”

The fresh A350-1000 orders are seen to increase the flag carrier’s fleet and position the Airbus aircraft as the airline’s flagship for long-haul operations.

PAL said it expects the latest batch of Airbus A350-1000 orders to be delivered from 2034 to 2036.

“The A350-1000 will continue to define the future of our international operations for many years to come,” said PAL president and COO Lucio Tan III.

“As the first and currently the only airline in Southeast Asia to operate the Airbus A350-1000, Philippine Airlines has experienced firsthand the aircraft's exceptional range, fuel

efficiency, reliability, and passenger comfort. It has expanded our reach across North America, while delivering the world-class travel experience our customers deserve,” said Tan.

PAL currently operates two Airbus A350-1000 on key long-haul routes, including non-stop flights from Manila to New York and Toronto, and seven more from the batch ordered in 2023 are expected to be delivered by 2028.

“We are proud that PAL is strongly expanding its A350-1000 flagship fleet, flying the flag of the Philippines across the world,” said Airbus executive vice president for sales of commercial aircraft Benoît de Saint-Exupéry.

“This agreement marks an important milestone in deepening our partnership with Philippine Airlines. Being the long-range leader, the A350-1000 is the perfect platform for the airline to build its future long-haul network and meet continued growth, especially in competitive premium transpacific markets. We look forward to finalizing this new order soon,” de Saint-Exupery added.

Meanwhile, PAL said the purchase rights for five additional A350-1000 aircraft will provide the airline with flexibility to support future fleet requirements and market opportunities. — Ted Cordero/RSJ, GMA News