Philippine Airlines announced on Friday that another Airbus A321ceo (current engine option) aircraft to join its fleet this week, saying this single-aisle jet is the first of several aircraft that the airline is working to acquire.
According to PAL spokesman Cielo Villaluna, the A321, which accommodates 199 passengers in a dual-class configuration, will be utilized for PAL's domestic and regional routes.
Villaluna added that others expected to join the fleet in the near term include one Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft with a capacity of 363 seats, to be used on medium haul routes, as well as one De Havilland Das 8-400NG aircraft with a capacity of 86 seats to be used for PAL's inter-island operations.
Negotiations, Villaluna said, are also under way to secure additional aircraft.
The carrier is also actively engaged in coordinating with its suppliers and service partners to reactivate more aircraft that have been parked for extended periods while awaiting replacement engines and parts, as a consequence of delays in the global supply chain that afflict the worldwide airline industry.
"We are taking various actions to boost our fleet count and enable us to meet the continuing surge in travel demand while minimizing delays and cancellations," said Christoph Gaertner, PAL Vice President for Network Planning.
Gaertner added that, "We have also pro-actively reduced some frequencies on a number of routes as part of a rationalization of our schedules, so that we can ensure high reliability going forward. We are working with our suppliers as well as aircraft and engine manufacturers on initiatives to increase efficiency without compromising safety, which is our absolute top priority. This is our obligation to our passengers, who expect a pleasant flying experience when traveling on our global network."
PAL management recently announced that it had firmed up the purchase of nine brandnew Airbus A350-1000 long haul aircraft for its signature routes to North America and potentially to Europe.
The 380-seater new generation jets, expected to be delivered in 2025, will be the most advanced to fly the Philippine skies. The A350-1000 acquisition will put PAL firmly on the road towards operating one of the youngest and most modern widebody fleets in Asia. The A350 is capable of flying 9,700 nautical miles or 18,000 kilometers non-stop.
At present, PAL have 69 aircraft on its fleet.
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