19 June 2017 10:48 am
Delmege Aviation Services, GSA for Philippine Airlines Cargo (Sri Lanka and Maldives) informed that the PAL fleet will be expanded including two Boeing 777 – 300 ER units, slated for delivery in December, which will be deployed on flights to the US.
“The Boeing aircraft will serve the Manila – USA route, a move designed to enhance the cargo service delivery. While we already have eight Boeing 777 serving the West Coast, the incoming units will also augment other trans-pacific flights”, PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Jaime J. Bautista said.
“The Boeing 777 is our flagship aircraft for long-haul operations. With its range and operational capability, the flag carrier will be at par with other full service carriers along the route.” he added.
The acquisition of the carrier’s 9th and 10th B777s is based on a long-term lease agreement with Intrepid Aviation.During the 2016 delivery of PAL’s 7th and 8th B777, Intrepid president and chief commercial officer Doug Winter said,“The Philippines is currently one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia and the airline has been enjoying a strong, profitable growth trajectory over the past few years.”
Ravi De Silva, Director/ CEO at Delmege Aviation stated that “With all such expansion and product development currently taking place at Philippine Airlines Cargo, the product available in terms of belly capacity is an absolute winner. We have been a part of the Philippine Airlines upwards progress chart and will further secure our reputation as a brilliant product available to the Sri Lankan cargo market, freight forwarders in particular”.
At present, PAL has a total of 81 planes, made up of A320s, A321s, A330s, A340s and B777s.