By Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo,
Reporter

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES (PAL) is considering the acquisition of the new Airbus A350-1000, amid the flag carrier’s aggressive fleet expansion program.

PAL President Jaime J. Bautista on Thursday said the airline can earn savings with the new long-range aircraft, the largest of the Airbus A350 series.

“It’s a bigger version of the 350-900. Its advantage, if we take delivery of this, the engine is the same. A little bit bigger but there is commonality, the spare parts. With training, the pilot can fly the same aircraft. So, in terms of pilot training, cabin crew training, we have savings in training. There are savings on spare parts because there is commonality in the airline, is very important,” Mr. Bautista told reporters on the sidelines of the A350-1000 demonstration at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

In 2016, the flag carrier ordered six A350-900s. PAL expected to take delivery of four of the A350s this year.

Mr. Bautista said there is an option to convert the A350-900s to A350-1000s.

“We can. I’m sure. We have an order of six option. That option, I’m sure Airbus will be happy if we convert those to 350-1000,” he added, noting the lease price is $200 million.

Airbus is set to deliver the first A350-1000 aircraft to Qatar Airways on Feb. 20.

Airbus brought the A350-1000 to Manila as part of its Asia-Pacific road show. The Airbus A350-1000 is the newest product in the A350 WXB family. The twin-aisle aircraft is seven meters longer than the A350-900 and can seat 366 passengers in three-class configuration.

This year, PAL is expected to take delivery of six A321neos, and five Bombardier Q400s. The $2-billion fleet expansion comes amid the airline’s efforts to secure five-star rating by 2020.

PAL earlier said it is targeting to carry 16.5 million passengers this year.

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