
New York's Bankruptcy Court has approved Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL)'s reorganization plan, the flag carrier announced.
“Today’s court approval represents a critical moment in our journey to emerge as a stronger airline," Gilbert F. Santa Maria, PAL president & chief operating officer said in a statement issued Saturday, Dec. 18.
PAL's recovery plan provides for over $2.0 billion in permanent balance sheet reductions from existing creditors, allows PAL to consensually contract fleet capacity by 25 percent, and improves PAL’s critical operational agreements. It also includes a $505-million investment in long-term equity and debt financing from PAL’s majority shareholder.
The plan, expected to take effect before the end of 2021, will significantly reduce PAL's debt, streamline its fleet and allow it to gain additional liquidity for long-term growth and profitability. With that, PAL expects to emerge from its court-supervised Chapter 11 process before year-end.
It could be recalled that PAL, the first and oldest commercial airline in Asia, filed a voluntary petition on September 3, 2021 for a pre-arranged restructuring under the US Chapter 11 process following the financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. PAL said it "received overwhelming creditor support throughout the process."
“We have a few more procedural steps to take before we can complete the Chapter 11 process, after which we will focus intensely on serving the public, navigating the continuing challenges of the pandemic and economic recovery, and sustaining the links that connect our archipelago,” said Santa Maria.
The consensual recovery plan was accepted by 100 percent of the votes cast from PAL’s primary aircraft lessors and lenders, original equipment manufacturers and maintenance, repair, and overhaul service providers, and certain funded debt lenders.
PAL continues to operate flights to 32 international and 29 domestic destinations from its hubs in Manila, Cebu and Davao.
The flag carrier expects to restore more routes and increase flight frequencies as travel restrictions ease and borders reopen.