Lunch with PAL and Airbus at Shangri-la Makati

It was one of the pivotal events in aviation - Philippine Airlines signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for nine brand new A320 jets valued at approximately P45 billion based on list prices. The purchase forms part of PAL's modernization program for narrow-bodied fleet.

On top of the firm orders for nine A320s, the program includes options to buy five more new A320s and the leasing of two other A320s plus two A319s from GE Commercial Aviation Services, bringing the total acquisition to 18 new Airbus jets. The PAL order is the biggest purchase in 2005, following 14 jets ordered by a competing domestic airline.

The by-invitation lunch gathering and press conference included executives from Airbus and PAL, as well as members of the press from Cebu and Manila. Members of the Cebu press representing the three local dailies were flown-in to attend the affair. There were less than a hundred in attendance, made livelier with pockets of applause, laughter and chat.