PAL is reactivating an Airbus A321ceo to tackle delays and cater to growing travel demand.
The airline plans to either acquire or reactivate more aircraft in response to the surge in air travel.
Five of PAL's Airbus units are currently grounded due to international supply chain disruptions.
MANILA — Philippine Airlines (PAL) is revitalizing its fleet to cater to the increasing demand for air travel. This move has seen the airline reintroduce its Airbus A321ceo, which has been designed with a dual-type configuration to hold up to 199 passengers. This reintroduction aims to bolster the airline's capacity for short-haul operations and decrease the occurrence of flight disruptions, especially at a time when both domestic and regional travel is seeing a significant uptick.
Furthermore, the airline faces the challenge of supply chain disturbances from overseas, which has resulted in the temporary grounding of five of its Airbus units. PAL is specifically awaiting the delivery of jet engines from Pratt & Whitney. This has led to the pause in operations of three A321neos and two A320ceos. These supply chain issues have necessitated a reshuffling of PAL's flight schedules, leading to several delays and cancellations.
In response to the growing demands of air travel both locally and globally, PAL is not only looking at reactivating decommissioned planes but also considering acquiring new ones. Christoph Gaertner, PAL's vice president for network planning, has confirmed ongoing discussions regarding the procurement of additional aircraft. The airline is keen on adding an A330-300, with a passenger capacity of 363 for medium-haul journeys, and a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 NG, suitable for 86 passengers and perfect for inter-island travel. Gaertner further stressed the company’s commitment to its passengers, highlighting efforts to navigate the surge in demand and minimize flight-related disruptions.
