Philippine Airlines (PAL) accepted the delivery of the first of five additional Airbus A320 aircraft on 3rd December, 2025 and signed a purchase and leaseback agreement with BOC Aviation on 4th December, 2025, for two Airbus A350-1000s.
A new era for PAL
The second A320 will join PAL’s fleet before the end of 2025, with the remaining three planned for 2026. The A320S acquired by PAL are configured to carry 180 passengers, which will help enhance PAL’s flight frequency and allow it to provide seamless connections between the Philippines’ major hubs and various regional destinations.
Rabbi Vincent Ang, President of PAL Express, commented on the expansion of PAL’s A320 fleet:
By expanding our A320 fleet, we are providing travellers with more reliable, convenient and comfortable options.
The addition of A320 aircraft takes the total systemwide fleet of PAL to 80, including 16 A320S deployed across key domestic routes.
A first for BOC Aviation as well
PAL has also signed an agreement with BOC Aviation Limited, which has agreed to purchase and lease back two Airbus A350-1000s on long-term operating leases. The two Airbus A350-1000s will be powered by Rolls-Royce XWB engines, with the first delivery scheduled for December 2025.
Steven Townend, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, BOC Aviation, said
We are delighted to welcome PAL as a new customer. This is our first A350-1000 delivery and underscores our commitment to supporting the industry’s development with latest-technology aircraft. As a global aircraft operating lessor, and the largest headquartered in Asia, our financial strength and orderbook allows us to support the growth our airline customers with both capital and capacity.
Richard Nuttall, President of Philippine Airlines, also commented
The addition of the Airbus A350-1000 to our fleet marks a pivotal step in Philippine Airlines’ ongoing fleet modernisation program. This investment not only aligns with our commitment to operating one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the region, but also ensures we can deliver world-class comfort, reliability, and efficiency to our passengers. Our partnership with BOC Aviation reinforces our strategy to enhance our global competitiveness while supporting the sustainable growth of our network.
As part of PAL’s broader fleet enhancement initiatives, PAL will also make upgrades to its existing narrow-body aircraft and make plans to also acquire new A321neo jets.
Rabbi Vincent Ang, President of PAL Express, also said
Right-sizing our fleet enables PAL to maintain and improve our On-Time Performance (OTP) scores, ensuring we continue to operate with the highest standards of reliability, safety and efficiency.
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