Boeing wants larger role in Airbus-led Philippine market

MANILA, Philippines — American aircraft manufacturing giant Boeing is aiming to sell more long-range passenger planes to Philippine carriers as air traffic in the country is seen to expand in the next 20 years.

In a statement Thursday, the Philippine Embassy in Washington said Boeing officials expressed their aim to have a share in an Airbus-dominated Philippine market in a recent meeting with Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. in Seattle.

"In the Philippines, out of the 141 commercial aircraft currently being used, only six are Boeings—a dismal 4 percent market share," John Schubert, Boeing managing director for marketing for Asia Pacific and India, said.

Boeing executives noted a 6.6 percent projected growth in airline passenger traffic in the country in the next two decades.

Boeing wants #Philippines carriers to take second look at its long-range passenger planes for North American market pic.twitter.com/uEOrfhT8lu

— PhilippineEmbassy DC (@philippinesusa) November 13, 2014

To aid the increase in demand, Boeing is prepared to make more air units available for the Philippines in 2016, the embassy said.

"The demand for aircraft in Southeast Asia over the next 20 years will reach 3,500 units valued at $500 billion," Schubert said.

The six Boeing aircraft in service are the 777-300ERs that the Philippine Airlines currently uses for its long-haul flights to North America.

Dave Kell, product marketing director of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the 777 remains among the most in-demand aircraft today.

"The 777 is the most suitable aircraft for long range North American routes such as those of Philippine Airlines," Kell said.