Singapore. Philippine Airlines (PAL) has selected Airbus to perform cabin modification for 15 aircraft and expand the material services programme for the airline’s Airbus fleet.
The cabin modification agreement covers 11 A320, two A330-300s and two A350-900s.
When completed, PAL’s A320s will have 24 extra seats to bring the total seat count to 180, a configuration that suits the airline’s requirements for short-haul inter-island domestic routes. The two A330s will gain an additional 50 seats to bring the total seat count to 359 for better airlift capability on key higher-density regional routes and repatriation flights. The A350s will gain another 18 seats for a total of 313 seats, which still preserves the roomy cabin layout and passenger-friendly experience that PAL Business Class and Economy Class travellers enjoy on the A350’s long-haul routes.
PAL has contracted Airbus to provide the relevant Service Bulletins and kits required for the cabin modification programme, which comes as part of the carrier’s fleet restructuring plans.
“Philippine Airlines believes that, as we exit the pandemic, our fleet restructuring strategy helps us to better adapt to changing market situations and ensure that we are well-positioned for recovery,” said Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez, PAL Chief Financial Officer. “Our aircraft deployment decisions and related technical support arrangements are tailored for a restructured network that suits a vastly different global environment.”
“We chose Airbus with the firm expectation that PAL will receive high quality Service Bulletins and timely updates to technical documentation, along with the highly regarded extensive engineering support we expect from a leading aircraft manufacturer,” said Alvin Kendrich Limqueco, PAL Senior Vice President- Supply Chain Management.
In addition, PAL is extending its ‘Flight Hour Services’ (FHS) material programme with Airbus to cover more of its fleet, with guaranteed parts availability to secure the operational reliability and efficiency of PAL’s widebody and narrowbody aircraft.
The FHS programme, which currently covers two A350s, now includes 37 more aircraft, comprising 29 A321 Family (including eight A321neos) and eight A330ceos. Airbus will provide components standard exchange, components repairs, component reliability and engineering services, as well as on-site stock at PAL’s main base in Manila.
“Airbus has its customers’ interests at heart and works closely with them to propose flexible material solutions that meet their needs. We are pleased that PAL recognises the significant savings and operational performance which Airbus can bring with FHS, extending the current arrangement to their A330 and A321 Family fleets,” Anand Stanley, President Airbus Asia-Pacific.
