Philippine Airlines (PAL) recently ordered 54 Airbus aircraft at a list price of USD seven billion. “The orders we are placing with Airbus will play a key role in revitalising PAL and in developing trade and tourism in this country,” Lucio Tan, Chairman, PAL, said in a statement. Ramon Ang, President, PAL, said that the carrier intends to buy a total of 100 new aircraft,
26 of which will be long-range, wide-body. The airline has been receiving complaints from passengers regarding the condition of the planes, limited flight options and poor services. In a separate statement, Airbus said the “firm orders” were for 34 single-aisle A321 neo planes, ten of the new A321 neo models and ten long-haul A330-300s, the delivery of which will start next year. PAL’s current fleet is made up of 39 aircraft that fly to 31 foreign cities and destinations. 31 of these are Airbus planes, while eight are Boeing aircraft. PAL was forced to cut hundreds of flights in September last year after a day-long strike by ground crew who were protesting the outsourcing of 2,600 catering, airport services and call centre reservation jobs. It took the airline more than a month to cut the flight backlog; however, Tan won the battle against the determined unions to outsource the jobs and cut costs.
Click here to see the original article>26 of which will be long-range, wide-body. The airline has been receiving complaints from passengers regarding the condition of the planes, limited flight options and poor services. In a separate statement, Airbus said the “firm orders” were for 34 single-aisle A321 neo planes, ten of the new A321 neo models and ten long-haul A330-300s, the delivery of which will start next year. PAL’s current fleet is made up of 39 aircraft that fly to 31 foreign cities and destinations. 31 of these are Airbus planes, while eight are Boeing aircraft. PAL was forced to cut hundreds of flights in September last year after a day-long strike by ground crew who were protesting the outsourcing of 2,600 catering, airport services and call centre reservation jobs. It took the airline more than a month to cut the flight backlog; however, Tan won the battle against the determined unions to outsource the jobs and cut costs.