PAL rolls out first of 20 new Airbus jets

President Arroyo leads top government officials and private-sector guests as Philippine Airlines unveils today its newest aircraft an Airbus A319-100, which launches the much-anticipated modernization of the flag carrier’s single-aisle fleet.

The new fleet features a 21st-century enhanced cabin that is the first for an Asian carrier, state-of-the-art passenger amenities, and a new coastal-themed interior design that calls to mind the country’s picturesque coastline.

A bevy of ranking officials, including Vice President Noli de Castro, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, Transportation Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza, Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila and Tourism Secretary Joseph H. Durano, will join President Arroyo at the roll-out ceremonies at the main hangar of Lufthansa Technik Philippines in Pasay City.

PAL chairman and CEO Lucio C. Tan, vice chairman and treasurer Mariano Tanenglian, and president and chief officer Jaime J. Bautista will welcome the president to the event, expected to be attended by over 700 guests from the aviation, business, travel-trade and diplomatic communities.

The event marks the formal introduction of the A319, the first of 20 brand-new units belonging to the A320 family of single-aisle jets that will be delivered to PAL over the next six years.

The new fleet will be deployed mainly on the airline’s extensive domestic network. It will also serve some Asian destinations. The new jets enable PAL to offer business-class service to all its 19 domestic points. Previously, only the major trunk routes to Cebu, Davao, Puerto Princesa and General Santos consistently enjoyed the service.

More importantly, PAL will be the sole carrier to offer business-class service in the domestic market. The A320s have 12 seats in Mabuhay (Business) Class and 144 in Fiesta (Economy) Class while the A319s have 8 Mabuhay Class and 126 Fiesta Class seats.

The package comprises a firm order for nine A320 aircraft, as well as options for five more A320s, all from Airbus. In addition, PAL will lease two brand-new A320s and four A319s from GE Commercial Aviation Services, the world’s largest aircraft lessor.

PAL expects two more A319s to be delivered before the end of 2006. For 2007, seven aircraft – six A320s and the last A319 – will be delivered, while five A320s are on tap for 2008. Deliveries of the five option aircraft, should PAL take them up, will start in 2009 and run until 2012.