Philippine Airlines said it expects to own 100 aircraft by 2020, up from the current 85 to achieve its goal to become a 5-star airline.
“We are aiming for 100 aircraft by 2020, which places us in the category of a major carrier. But we are not merely adding more planes, we are constantly upgrading the cabins, seats, amenities, inflight entertainment and technology. We aspire to ultimately become a 5-star global airline, to be a source of pride for all Filipinos,” PAL president Jaime Bautista said.
The PAL fleet buildup will continue until year 2024, providing valuable support to the airline’s ascent to the ultimate goal of 5-star rating by Skytrax, the global airline rating organization.
“Our current fleet of 85 aircraft is already the largest in the Philippines,” Bautista said.
The airline led by billionaire Lucio Tan said it would introduce new routes and increase flight frequencies with the delivery of five additional Next-Generation Bombardier Q400s and six new Airbus A321neos starting May 2018, along with four Airbus A350-900 trans-oceanic aircraft in June 2018.
It also expects to receive two more Next-Generation Q400s, two A350s and two A321neos in 2019.
“Our new aircraft and our new hubs are a winning combination that will help expand our market reach both domestically and worldwide. This is imperative for a global airline, and we must sustain and build on our hard-won 4-star rating,” Bautista said.
PAL said it was working with local and foreign government authorities for the green light to operate new or additional tourist-carrying flights from China, Korea and Taiwan to Puerto Princesa and Cebu, in light of the suspension of many flights from these countries to Kalibo.
PAL currently flies to 16 domestic and seven international points from Cebu, 14 domestic and one international points from Clark, six domestic points from Davao, and one international destination (Seoul, Korea) from Tagbilaran.