
August 27, 2012
Philippine Airlines (PAL), which recently underwent an ownership change, plans to order a large number of Airbus A321s and A330s.
Industry executives say PAL, which already operates Airbus narrowbodies and widebodies, has decided to stay with Airbus. One of the executives said a decision will be announced as early as Aug. 28, but others say it may take longer to announce because no firm contract has yet to be signed.
Three industry executives say the order will be for 10 A330s and around 44 A321s. No decision has been made on the engines, the executives add.
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The A321 order includes some A321NEOs, one of the executives says. But the bulk of the A321s on order are likely to be for the existing model, because two of the executives say PAL has secured delivery slots in 2013.
An Airbus spokesman declined to comment when contacted by AviationWeek. PAL’s spokesman was unavailable for comment and did not respond to emails.
PAL President Ramon Ang, who also is president of Philippine conglomerate San Miguel Corp., in recent months said he was negotiating with Airbus and Boeing about placing a large aircraft order.
San Miguel in April bought 49% of PAL Holdings from billionaire Lucio Tan, with a condition that San Miguel would help PAL renew its fleet.