Flag carrier Philippine Airlines is optimistic passenger volume will increase 5 percent to 7 percent this year from 2014, with the delivery of additional aircraft and amid lower oil prices.
PAL president Jaime Bautista said domestic and international markets were expected to grow “in proportion to GDP [gross domestic product growth] of 5 to 7 percent this year.”
“We’re still finalizing, but last year we carried almost 12 million. There was an increase, there was a growth compared to other year. This year, we take delivery of more airplanes so we expect the market to grow,” Bautista said.
PAL is set to take delivery of five Airbus 321 aircraft this year, although this was five less than the original plan. PAL ordered 38 aircraft until 2020, but is negotiating to extend the delivery until 2024.
“There would be two airplanes that will be delivered in March, two in April and one in June… We are working with the Airbus on the deferment of orders. This year, we should take delivery of 10, but we are working on a delivery of only five,” Bautista said earlier.
PAL targets a delivery of a total of 38 aircraft by 2024.