PAL inks deal for up to 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in fleet modernization
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) committed to purchasing up to 20 Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliner aircraft, the flag carrier’s largest direct widebody agreement with the United States (US) planemaker in decades as it ramps up long-haul fleet modernization.
The preliminary agreement, unveiled Monday, July 20, at the Farnborough International Airshow in London, includes 15 firm commitments for the stretched 787-10 model alongside purchase options for five additional jets.
Financially, the potential 20-jet commitment represents a multi-billion-peso capital investment for the parent company PAL Holdings Inc. as the airline seeks to capitalize on surging regional and transpacific travel demand.
PAL Holdings President and Chief Operating Officer Lucio C. Tan III underscored that the investment reflects strong confidence in the recovery and long-term expansion of Asian aviation.
The 787-10, the largest variant in the Dreamliner family, will join PAL’s existing long-haul fleet of 10 Boeing 777-300ER widebodies. With seating capacity for 300 to 375 passengers and a operational range extending up to 7,500 nautical miles, the twin-engine jets offer a 25 percent reduction in fuel burn compared to the older aircraft they are expected to replace.
The fleet expansion aligns with broader strategic maneuvers by PAL, which recently received an invitation to join the oneworld global airline alliance and is preparing for expanded capacity from ongoing airport infrastructure upgrades around Manila.
The new widebodies are slated to operate medium- and long-haul routes across North America, Australia, and key Asian hubs, enhancing seat capacity while reducing direct operational costs per seat.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Pope highlighted the transaction as a critical milestone in maintaining Boeing's presence in Southeast Asia.