Philippine Airlines will order nine Airbus A350-1000 wide-body aircraft to expand its fleet and route network as air travel recovers from the pandemic. The flag carrier said on Wednesday.
The company announced that it will operate the new aircraft on non-stop services from Manila to North America. This is its biggest international market, including the east coast of the United States and Canada.
Reuters on Tuesday reported that Philippine Airlines was close to a deal to acquire 10 Airbus planes. In the latest sign of a recovery in the market for wide-body jets, citing sources.
The airline stated that it plans to receive the first of its nine A350-1000s in the fourth quarter of 2025. Also delivery will continue until 2027.
So, the Philippine flag carrier also secured purchase rights on three additional A350-1000s for future expansion to new long-haul destinations, it added.
The memorandum signed by Philippine Airlines is not yet a final order. And fine-tuning the contractual details can take weeks or months.
Moreover, the airline currently operates various Airbus jets, including the A350 on long-haul intercontinental routes. Also and A330-300s on services to the Middle East, Australia and various points in Asia
Philippine Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States in September 2021. Thus, allowing it to restructure finances that were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. It exited the process, which involved a $2 billion cut in borrowings and a return of 22 of its 92 aircraft, in January 2022.