Philippine Airlines Takes Delivery of Fourth Airbus A350-1000
Key Takeaways
- •Philippine Airlines took delivery of its fourth Airbus A350-1000, registered RP-C3513, which arrived at NAIA on Wednesday.
- •The aircraft is part of an original order for nine A350-1000s placed in 2023, supporting PAL's fleet modernization and international expansion.
- •PAL ordered nine additional A350-1000s in July for delivery between 2034 and 2036, and secured purchase rights for five more.
- •PAL signed an agreement with GE Aerospace for GEnx-1B engines to power 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners scheduled for delivery from 2031 to 2034.
- •PAL Holdings shares dropped 5.69%, or 16 centavos, to close at P2.65 on Thursday.
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has taken delivery of its fourth Airbus A350-1000, marking another step in its long-haul fleet modernization program.
In a media release issued Thursday, PAL said the aircraft — the fourth of nine A350-1000s ordered in 2023 — arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Wednesday. Registered RP-C3513, the new jet will support the carrier's fleet modernization program and international growth strategy.
The Airbus A350-1000 is the largest variant of Airbus's A350 family, a long-haul widebody aircraft configured with business, premium economy, and economy class cabins. Newer-generation widebodies such as the A350 are widely used by carriers on long-haul routes for their fuel efficiency compared with older aircraft types.
In July, PAL announced an additional order for nine A350-1000s, with deliveries scheduled between 2034 and 2036. The airline also secured purchase rights for five more A350-1000s to support future fleet requirements and market opportunities.
PAL has additionally signed an agreement with GE Aerospace for GEnx-1B engines that will power 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners scheduled for delivery between 2031 and 2034 as part of its fleet modernization program.
"These commitments underscore Philippine Airlines' confidence in the long-term growth of air travel and its commitment to maintaining one of the most modern and efficient fleets in the region," PAL said.
The flag carrier currently deploys its A350-1000 aircraft on key long-haul routes, including San Francisco, New York, and Toronto. These North American routes serve large Filipino communities abroad, which have long anchored the carrier's long-haul network.
Last month, PAL said it also expects to receive two Airbus A321neo aircraft by yearend for deployment across its existing network.
The deliveries come as airlines across the Asia-Pacific region have been renewing widebody fleets amid recovering international travel demand, with delivery timelines for new aircraft across the industry also shaped by global manufacturing backlogs.
On Thursday, shares in PAL Holdings fell 16 centavos, or 5.69%, to close at P2.65 apiece. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
