Airlines In The Philippines IV

[filipinoavgeek]

Arianespace wrote

According to industry sources, AirAsia PH is short by 2 planes. That is the reason why they are operating with frequently delayed flights. CAB already called their attention to addressed this matter as it has been operating like this for almost a year already. Goes to show where the airline is heading.

Meanwhile, AirAsia is already thinking about other ventures like their planned Bahrain subsidiary. You'd think that with their financial issues, they'd instead focus on strengthening their existing subsidiaries first. Just imagine those extra planes that could have to, for example, AirAsia PH instead of Bahrain.

[Solblanc]

filipinoavgeek wrote

Arianespace wrote

According to industry sources, AirAsia PH is short by 2 planes. That is the reason why they are operating with frequently delayed flights. CAB already called their attention to addressed this matter as it has been operating like this for almost a year already. Goes to show where the airline is heading.

Meanwhile, AirAsia is already thinking about other ventures like their planned Bahrain subsidiary. You'd think that with their financial issues, they'd instead focus on strengthening their existing subsidiaries first. Just imagine those extra planes that could have to, for example, AirAsia PH instead of Bahrain.

The funniest part is that domestic yields are higher than ever. Our airlines are making money. Even Sunlight Air wants to expand. But the Air Asia group is all over the place now.

[Arianespace]

Philippine Airlines has secured a financing facility covering pre-delivery payments for five A350-1000s with Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking, the global investment banking arm of France's Groupe BPCE structured as a French optimized leases (FOL).

While technically an operating lease, a French tax lease often functions similarly to a finance lease, with the lessee (PAL) usually having a purchase option at the end of the term which is 12 years.

French lease is designed primarily for the tax benefits of the lessor (Natixis CIB), although it may end with a purchase of the aircraft at the end of term where it can then be subject to sale and leaseback arrangements for the remaining life of the aircraft.

[kilohakdog]

RP-C8781 operating as PR684 MNL-DOH experienced compressor stall during takeoff run last 28 January 2026. Video here c/o SEAL: https://youtu.be/pA3SZkvAze0?si=t3WOSH5YhBKD2o24

[Solblanc]

So they say that the A220-500 is about to be offered.

That plane is technically perfect for 2P, especially if it’s just a simple stretch, so they won’t need the range of a full 320N.

If the A220-100 were capable of flying to Siargao or Busuanga, it would be even better as it’s easy to get two or three frames and benefit from commonality.

For sure, 2P is going to need aircraft as I’m not sure how much longer they can rely on used A320s with limited cycles left.

[filipinoavgeek]

I was looking at some old PAL pictures of their old 737-300 and 737-400 fleet and that made me wonder: why did PR order the A320 to replace them, rather than going with the 737NG like other contemporary 737 operators like what Malaysia Airlines and Garuda Indonesia did? Do you remember the reason why Arianespace? I think this was before Cebu Pacific ordered their A320s to replace the DC-9s, so I don't think it was a case of "me too".

[chowpau]

filipinoavgeek wrote

I was looking at some old PAL pictures of their old 737-300 and 737-400 fleet and that made me wonder: why did PR order the A320 to replace them, rather than going with the 737NG like other contemporary 737 operators like what Malaysia Airlines and Garuda Indonesia did? Do you remember the reason why Arianespace? I think this was before Cebu Pacific ordered their A320s to replace the DC-9s, so I don't think it was a case of "me too".

Training cost on cockpit commonality with A330/340....larger cargo belly

[filipinoavgeek]

https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202602/009269.html

In unrelated news, Qantas is divesting from Jetstar Japan, leading to the airline rebranding sometime next year. Will this affect their MNL flights?

[Solblanc]

filipinoavgeek wrote

I was looking at some old PAL pictures of their old 737-300 and 737-400 fleet and that made me wonder: why did PR order the A320 to replace them, rather than going with the 737NG like other contemporary 737 operators like what Malaysia Airlines and Garuda Indonesia did? Do you remember the reason why Arianespace? I think this was before Cebu Pacific ordered their A320s to replace the DC-9s, so I don't think it was a case of "me too".

Pre-1997 bankruptcy, PAL had already taken delivery of a few A320s before having to cancel the whole order. So it wasn’t like they didn’t operate the type. They were supposed to replace their fleet of classics with the A320, but bankruptcy forced them to hold on to their classics.

When the time came and PAL was comfortable enough to place an order, our economy wasn’t the best and our poor credit rating extended to Philippine companies, making financing more expensive. PAL had some deposits with Boeing for undelivered 747s that they wanted to use. Boeing refused. Airbus, on the other hand, was flexible on pricing and financing, so it went to them. (However, those deposits would come in useful in the future as Boeing used them to win the 77W vs A346 battle)

Cebu Pacific’s experience was somewhat similar. Boeing would only offer them the 717 as a replacement for the DC9s. Boeing refused to extend the terms and pricing of the 717 to the 737 family. Airbus, on the other hand, offered A319s to 5J at a very attractive price.

Ultimately, Boeing lost the Philippine market because they ignored our carriers while they were down. Airbus really nurtured the relationships with both PAL and Cebpac, and that really paid off for Airbus.

[filipinoavgeek]

5J is suspending MNL-CNX, with the last flight flying on February 27, 2026 due to a "network realignment". MNL-CTS might also have an uncertain future as I've seen at least one comment online saying that their post-June booking has been canceled and there are no flights scheduled beyond June. Supposedly CTS is going to be kept around for now according to 5J, but they have mentioned that there will be a "network realignment".

[JNC03]

We're looking to start up to 7 new routes this year, we  already announced 3. We need to put them on the board before I can tell you what they are.

We're talking medium to long haul I will give you teaser the one is a big market that we are not yet there.

The fleet will grow from 82 to 90 but you will see growth on Q4 and 2027.



PAL President Richard Nutall interview with Bloomberg

[Spartan117]

Sooo India is back on the cards? Back to DEL?

And then maybe USA? LAS and ORD?

I doubt Europe will get any attention any time soon

[ewh1]

In case you are curious to watch: https://youtu.be/WAbNG2eOEXA?si=kSRuwETHDbOHbbta&t=4888

I just ran that quote through ChatGPT and of course, take it with a grain of salt but... France and Germany were what it says were probabilities.

Maybe not France with AF currently there (Unless they launch a codeshare), but maybe FRA?

But the bigger probability as we've discussed is Chicago. It's technically a big market they aren't in; no one said it had to be a market they don't currently serve. Besides, all his answers in the interview were that US traffic hasn't been affected by visas, tariff, policy. etc. so it makes perfect sense what the forum has speculated.

[Arianespace]

The next PAL destination across the big pond is no secret. It has been revealed in this forum a long time ago. No need for reiteration.

[filipinoavgeek]

Air France's CDG-MNL is becoming a seasonal flight instead of year-round, so they're not actually gonna be a major factor for PR if PR decides to launch MNL-France down the line. The bigger issue is really the Russia-Ukraine War, and PR's not returning to Europe until that is finished.

[Arianespace]

filipinoavgeek wrote

I was looking at some old PAL pictures of their old 737-300 and 737-400 fleet and that made me wonder: why did PR order the A320 to replace them, rather than going with the 737NG like other contemporary 737 operators like what Malaysia Airlines and Garuda Indonesia did? Do you remember the reason why Arianespace? I think this was before Cebu Pacific ordered their A320s to replace the DC-9s, so I don't think it was a case of "me too".

I did a story about this in the other forum on why PAL went from Boeing to Airbus in the narrow but can't seem to find them now.

The short story is
1. Change in ownership in 1995. PAL went to private hands in 1992 while MAS, SIA and GARUDA remained in government hands.
2. Secondary is aircraft capacity, from the 100 seater BAC to the 141 seater B737s to the 180 seater A320 to the 240 seater A321.
3. Third is Fly-by-wire technology in 1992 that prompted Boeing to update their plane in 1993 to the NG versions, ie -700, and -800. Despite update, Airbus remained the better plane.

That sums it up.

[oninBadz]

No more chance for GAP to go for Max 9?

[Gustavo J Oppenheimer]

He also stated that they have clarified their role as a FSC and they are competing with fellow FSCs rather than LCC, 5J. Unlike in the past

Also PAL is ready to increase capacity to China, they're watching closely whether or not the new Visa policy for Chinese tourists would lead to an influx of Chinese travellers

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2026-02-03/philippine-airlines-president-sees-period-of-growth-video

[Arianespace]

oninBadz wrote

No more chance for GAP to go for Max 9?

Actually there is, as it was previously packaged with the Dreamliner. Until PAL exercises on which direction GAP future fleet would be, Max 9 would be a good candidate, together with the E-190.  

[Arianespace]

Gustavo J Oppenheimer wrote

He also stated that they have clarified their role as a FSC and they are competing with fellow FSCs rather than LCC, 5J.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2026-02-03/philippine-airlines-president-sees-period-of-growth-video

And it was also not his idea to put 10 abreast seating on their flagship plane. I wonder whose idea was that?