Boeing loses to Airbus in PH aircraft market

American aircraft manufacturing giant Boeing is losing out to competitor Airbus in the Philippine aviation market having accounted a dismal 4 percent market share out of total 141 commercial aircraft being used today by local airlines.

A statement by the Philippine embassy in Washington D.C. on the recent visit of Philippine Ambassador to Washington D.C. Jose L. Cuisia to the company’s Everett factory, near its main hub in Seattle, noted of Boeing’s strong desire to raise its presence in the local market.

John S. Schubert, managing director for marketing for Asia Pacific and India, noted during the meeting that demand for aircraft in Southeast Asia over the next 20 years will reach 3,500 units valued at $500 billion. “However, in the Philippines, out of the 141 commercial aircraft currently being used, only six are Boeings, “a dismal 4 percent market share,” Schubert said.

The six Boeing aircraft in service are the 777-300ERs that Philippine

Airlines currently uses for its longhaul flights to North America, which is considered the flag carrier’s largest and most profitable market with a population of more than 4 million Filipinos.

With airline passenger traffic in the Philippines expected to grow in the next two decades, Boeing wants Philippine carriers to take a second look at its longrange passenger planes to serve the profitable North American market.

Boeing officials made clear their desire to play a larger role in the Philippine market, which is currently dominated by Airbus Industries, during their briefing for Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. who recently visited the company’s Everett Factory near Seattle.

Noting the 6.6 percent projected growth in airline passenger traffic for the Philippines in the next 20 years and the backlog in Airbus aircraft orders, Boeing executives told Cuisia they are ready to make aircraft for Philippine carriers available in 2016.

Dave Kell, Director of Product Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the 777 remains one of the most in- demand aircraft today, with 1,805 firm orders from 69 customers. He said it is likewise the most preferred, most reliable and most valued aircraft in the market.

“The 777 is the most suitable aircraft for long range North American routes such as those of Philippine Airlines,” Kell said.

During their briefing for Ambassador Cuisia, Boeing executives also informed him of company’s assistance to the Philippines, including $750,000 from both the Boeing Company and Boeing Employees for relief efforts for victims of Typhoon Yolanda as well as a cooperative effort between World Vision, Philippine Airlines, and Boeing to airlift relief supplies during a 777-300ER delivery flight last year.