Airlines In The Philippines IV

[Arianespace]

Solblanc wrote

And Richard also admitted that some of their high-density A330s are grounded. Which goes to show that having a significant number of widebodies for just one market is a dumb idea.

Which is not his idea to begin with.

perhaps they can send that A359 to Europe

That is the general idea he was driving at.

[Arianespace]

seven13 wrote

PR to halt CEBGUM/SGN starting mid April except certain dates in May for SGN

And some domestics too!

MANILA -- Philippine Airlines (PAL) said Thursday it was suspending some of its flights as global oil prices continue to climb.


INTERNATIONAL

PR120/PR121 - CEBU-GUAM (From April 16 until further notice)
PR587/PR588 - CEBU-HO CHI MINH CITY (From April 19 until further notice (Except May 1, 3, 24 and 31)

DOMESTIC

PR2875/PR2876 - CLARK-SIARGAO (From May 4 until further notice)
PR2893/PR2894 - CEBU-OZAMIZ (From May 5 until further notice)
PR2668/PR2669 - CEBU-CALBAYOG (From May 6 until further notice)
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/26/philippine-airlines-suspends-some-routes-amid-soaring-global-oil-prices-1505

In the interview Nutall never mentioned the countries with restricted aviation fuel. Well, one of that country is posted above.

[ewh1]

Arianespace wrote

Solblanc wrote

And Richard also admitted that some of their high-density A330s are grounded. Which goes to show that having a significant number of widebodies for just one market is a dumb idea.

Which is not his idea to begin with.

perhaps they can send that A359 to Europe

That is the general idea he was driving at.

Time to get rid of the “hybrid” config and put back the original economy seats with PTVs now that they have the opportunity. Will it need to go an MRO in China or can it be done in MNL, if it’s even possible?

I don’t think having a sub fleet of aircraft with a different configuration is bad, you just can’t make it worse than the standard product! The A321NEOLRs and NEO/CEOs are a better example of how to do it since those aircraft are always an unexpected surprise when the regional config is swapped for the longer range config.

For all of SMC’s capital expenditures in PAL, they truly made cheap decisions. The irony.

Anyways, this year Is turning out to be more eventful for aviation than expected . Looking forward to hearing when PAL hopefully relaunches LHR or even somewhere else in the EU.

[seven13]

RP-C9907 is already reconfigured. Currently, PR has 4 reconfigured A321: 9905-7 and 9919

[ewh1]

seven13 wrote

RP-C9907 is already reconfigured. Currently, PR has 4 reconfigured A321: 9905-7 and 9919

Thanks. Yeah it’s good the A321s are slowly being configured.

I was mostly talking about the A330s though. They reconfigured some of them hybrid style with the 16” seats and the Thompson biz seats. I was wondering if they could easily take the opportunity now to revert it back to to the original premium version w/ IFE?

I realized I mixed things up and yeah, the high densities are hopeless until 2027+ or unless they can replace it earlier.  Maybe they can get rid of some rows of economy and have them 33-34” as a consolation for having a narrow crappy cabin with just streaming IFE?

[seven13]

ewh1 wrote

seven13 wrote

RP-C9907 is already reconfigured. Currently, PR has 4 reconfigured A321: 9905-7 and 9919

Thanks. Yeah it’s good the A321s are slowly being configured.

I was mostly talking about the A330s though. They reconfigured some of them hybrid style with the 16” seats and the Thompson biz seats. I was wondering if they could easily take the opportunity now to revert it back to to the original premium version w/ IFE?

I realized I mixed things up and yeah, the high densities are hopeless until 2027+ or unless they can replace it earlier.  Maybe they can get rid of some rows of economy and have them 33-34” as a consolation for having a narrow crappy cabin with just streaming IFE?

That’s highly unlikely, unnecessary expenses in uncertain times. If the war persist, PR might even need to halt the refurbishment, imo. They need the cashflow badly. I read somewhere fuel stock is until June. Let’s hope the war stops sooner than later.

Surprisingly, PR can sell all seats with its current cabin offering. I do not have concrete numbers but they have been experiencing high LF for regional flights and PRs fare aren’t the cheapest. I think most pinoys have adopted to the current cabin product and sadly came to accept the bare and tight seating. Though despite high LF, i’m not really sure with the yield.

[airline_builder]

seven13 wrote

RP-C9907 is already reconfigured. Currently, PR has 4 reconfigured A321: 9905-7 and 9919

So how many more to go? 14?

[Arianespace]

PAL capable of growing in crisis – Moody’s

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has secured a Ba2 corporate family rating from Moody’s Ratings, a sign the company is oiled up to weather imminent risks like the war in the Middle East.

Moody’s said PAL was given a Ba2 rating because of promising gains in its financials, driven by the growth of its domestic and international segments and paired with its local leadership in transpacific flights.
-
Moody’s also sees PAL restricting its debt-to-earnings ratio below four times over the next 12 to 18 months. Although the airline is awaiting the delivery of 21 aircraft until 2029, Moody’s said it is funding fleet expansion through a combination of operating and finance leases.

Which confirms new forthcoming order deferral for the next 12 to 18 months.

[seven13]

airline_builder wrote

seven13 wrote

RP-C9907 is already reconfigured. Currently, PR has 4 reconfigured A321: 9905-7 and 9919

So how many more to go? 14?

Yes. I’m hoping they can be on track of almost 1 A321 per month.

On another news, PR is sending the A35K to YYZ by May 24. The freed up A359 will be sent to SEA and will add its 6th frequency on a limited time, between 15JUN to 27JUL. Surprising that the 6th frequency will be using different flight number: PR128/129.

[ewh1]

Looks like Delta is dropping their opposition to PAL service to ORD. Either they had pie on their face when it was revealed they haven't applied for slots or they came to an agreement quietly and used their complaint as a bargaining tactic. Who knows.

PAL set to fly Chicago as Delta backs off

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will soon mount direct flights to Chicago after Delta Air Lines Inc., the lone opposition to its proposed service, withdrew its appeal before the United States (US) government.

Delta said in an April 3 regulatory filing, seen by Manila Bulletin, that it is dropping its objection to PAL’s planned Chicago service following the Philippine government’s assurance that it will support the US carrier’s plans to mount direct flights to Manila by 2027.

Delta, one of America’s largest carriers, earlier asked the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to defer its decision on PAL’s request, raising concerns about barriers to obtaining the necessary slots at main gateway Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Sometimes it does seem like companies such as KLM, Lufthansa, with the whole high airport fees they've brought up in the past, and now Delta with slots availability, just do these dramatic antics because they know it will cause a reaction with the government, who will just bend over and please them. I don't know, just an observation I've noticed with a lot of these airlines.

[airline_builder]

Question to whoever has the answer here, quite out of topic but has anyone wandered why we always see the 3rd A35K on socmed posts and never the second one?

Any particular surprises perhaps? thoughts?

[Spartan117]

The 2nd A35K (RP-C3511/MSN778) has been captured in the normal livery back in January. Not too sure if any special liveries or stickers would be applied to it though....



From Threads: https://www.threads.com/@algerien_spoteur_tls_blagnac/post/DTIFV9rjB1x?xmt=AQF0-zPfeVAW_bbnHl8GXjtvcvEzxYMcoKD2pqSbyQ1Ftg 

[JNC03]

Engines and cabins are prone to late deliveries, that might be the answer to less photos/spotting of the 3511.

[airline_builder]

Spartan117 wrote

The 2nd A35K (RP-C3511/MSN778) has been captured in the normal livery back in January. Not too sure if any special liveries or stickers would be applied to it though....



From Threads: https://www.threads.com/@algerien_spoteur_tls_blagnac/post/DTIFV9rjB1x?xmt=AQF0-zPfeVAW_bbnHl8GXjtvcvEzxYMcoKD2pqSbyQ1Ftg

Thank you.

Such a long interval time between January and early April with no flight tests footages at all. It will heavily affect its target arrival of early May in Manila if that is the case

[kilohakdog]

Spotted last 9 April 2026 with engines installed and being readied for 1st flight

[seven13]

Does anybody know what does the one year exemption for ORD and SEA mean?

[Arianespace]

seven13 wrote

Does anybody know what does the one year exemption for ORD and SEA mean?

It relates to Foreign Carrier Operating Permit (FCOP) hearing application if relating to the Philippines.

Basically for the US DOT, exemtion allows an air carrier to operate new flights or routes on expedited basis that might otherwise require a more lengthy application process for a foreign air carrier permit due to opposition of another airline. Case in point, PAL-United dispute.

Under normal course of things, ie new airline flying to the US, requires a lengthy hearing for application for permits to fly which usually takes about a year, and if granted exemption is renewable every two years. Once exemption is granted you must fly within one year otherwise exemption is withdrawn. To enjoy exemption airline must show to US regulators that they have financial resources to fly. Thus, its frequent renewal for the protection of passengers and cargo clients.

Exemption is like summary hearing that takes about a month to be approved, because the airline has existing exemtion to the rule.

Here is that particular provision in US rules

Here is the law that talks about it.

Hope that helps

[seven13]

Thanks for the explanation.

So SEA will be reviewed every two years to see if PR is financially able to operate it? Did it also apply when PR launched JFK pre-covid and is JFK also being reviewed every 2 years? Also, does this rule also apply to existing NAm flights (LAX, SFO, HNL). When does the exemption become a permit to fly to a particular NAm point?

[Arianespace]

I think the point there is "sustainability", and it applies to all routes. Thereafter, the renewal of exemption is applied to all routes.

A clear example of that exemption working is Cebu-Guam route of PAL which did not even complete one IATA season (6 months). So you see, its not all milk and honey. If PAL don't make it there is gonna be no renewal of exemption. Simple as that. If they succeeded after one year, they are going to be part of the unified exemption renewal.

Here you see a PAL unified application for exemption for our better education

[ewh1]

Here's some confirmation that PAL has shifted its strategy beyond just airline partnerships and is actively having conversations with alliances.  

https://youtu.be/l8eV1niPk7A?si=mPvYKmIX-I6ba7eJ&t=1821

I don't know if it was serendipitous that Richard Nuttall was sitting next to the VP of Corporate Strategy at Star Alliance, but it's certainly interesting.

There's no doubt that credit card points collection and redemption is big business and an important way to attract international travellers who will eventually spend more money when they know there are high-value benefits they can get.