PAL to increase capacity on London, North America routes

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is increasing capacity on routes covering London and North America over the next two years as it takes delivery of eight long haul aircraft, according to think tank Centre for Aviation (CAPA).

“PAL will use the expanded long haul fleet to increase its capacity to London significantly later this year, while capacity to North America will likely increase by approximately 50 percent in 2018 to 2019,” CAPA said in its report focused on the carrier’s long haul strategy.

PAL would be increasing capacity between Manila and London as it deploys two additional Boeing 777300 ERs which are being delivered later this year, it said.

Earlier this month, PAL announced it would deploy the Boeing 777-300s on the Manila to London route beginning Sept.19, prior to offering daily flights in December.

The 370-seater B777 will allow PAL to increase capacity on the Manila to London route as the Airbus 340 currently being used for the service has 254 seats.

Apart from increasing capacity, PAL will also increase frequencies on the Manila to London route by December to daily from four times per week at present.

As all flights will be operated by the B777-300ER, CAPA said PAL would have 2,590 one-way seats to London per week from mid-December this year, the carrier’s highest capacity level in the London market. This is a 40-percent increase compared with the initial capacity level when the route was launched in November 2013.

PAL launched the Manila to London route using the 777-300ERs, but in the past three years has been serving the London market with smaller A340-300s.

However, CAPA said PAL may face challenges in maintaining year-round daily flights to London and may end up reducing again the schedule during off peak periods next year due to competition from other airlines operating one-stop flights.

The think tank said PAL also expects to take delivery of four A350-900s next year and two more A350s in the first half of 2019.

While most of the widebody aircraft being added by PAL over the next two years are meant to support growth, the carrier intends to phase out its A340 fleet by 2019.

CAPA said PAL’s plan is focused on using the new A350 aircraft to expand in the North American market.

“PAL was initially considering a transition of the London route to the A350. However, it was eager to move the A340 off London, a flagship route, as soon as possible, because of the product and reliability issues with the older A340 fleet,” CAPA said.

Apart from the Manila to London service, PAL’s other long haul routes are: ManilaLos Angeles, Manila-San Francisco, Manila-Vancouver-New York, Manila-Vancouver-Toronto and ManilaVancouver-Manila.