Philippine Airlines is reportedly evaluating a major widebody aircraft order as it looks to modernise its long-haul fleet and support future growth. According to a report by Bloomberg, the carrier is studying the acquisition of up to 20 new widebody jets, with aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing under consideration.
Considering both Airbus and Boeing
According to the source, the airline is considering the Boeing 787 Dreamliner alongside the Airbus A330neo and Airbus A350 families. No final decision has been made on either the aircraft type or manufacturer.
The aircraft would replace older Airbus A330S and Boeing 777s currently operating within the fleet. Reports suggest the airline won’t be considering the Boeing 777X as it would be too large for operations at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Fleet modernisation already underway
The airline currently has nine A350-1000s on order, with deliveries underway. These aircraft are expected to support transpacific services to North America and form a key part of the carrier’s fleet renewal strategy.
At an International Air Transport Association (IATA) meeting in April, Philippine Airlines President Richard Nuttall said that capacity constraints meant the airline was focusing on “increasing the size of our aircraft and operating more intercontinental flights.”
The potential order would represent one of the airline’s largest fleet investments in recent years. Philippine Airlines recently announced plans to launch flights between Manila and Chicago, showing its continued expansion in routes and fleet.
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