Philippine Airlines Sets 2025 Retrofit Deadline Amid Delays in Upgrades

Philippine Airlines has announced plans to focus on retrofitting its fleet of narrowbody aircraft, setting a 2025 deadline for the completion of updates to eighteen A321-200s. This decision, as reported by Aviation Week Network, comes in response to ongoing aircraft delivery delays that have forced the airline to reassess its fleet strategy.

Roland Narcisco, Senior Vice President of Group Operations at Philippine Airlines, indicated that the retrofit program is scheduled to begin in mid-2025 and is expected to span two years. He also noted that retrofitting the airline’s nine Boeing 777-300ERs is not feasible as these aircraft are nearing the end of their lease terms. Consequently, by next year, the airline must make critical decisions regarding whether to order replacement aircraft or to continue retrofitting other types of aircraft in its fleet, such as the A330-300s and DHC-8-Q400s.

Further complicating fleet management plans, Narcisco highlighted that the delivery of the first of nine A350-1000s, originally scheduled for the third quarter of 2025, has been delayed to the fourth quarter. Additionally, the timeline for the commencement of deliveries for thirteen A320-200Ns remains uncertain after Airbus removed a tentative start date of 2026. These delays are exacerbated by ongoing issues with Pratt & Whitney engines, which have led to the grounding of four out of eight A321neo aircraft currently operated by the airline.

Philippine Airlines’ current fleet consists of 79 aircraft. The airline serves 72 airports across 20 countries, reflecting its significant presence in the international travel market.

The strategic decision to retrofit existing aircraft rather than waiting indefinitely for new deliveries allows Philippine Airlines to maintain its competitive edge by ensuring its fleet remains up-to-date and capable of meeting passenger expectations for comfort and technology. This approach also provides the airline with flexibility in managing its capital expenditures during a period marked by supply chain disruptions and technical setbacks affecting new aircraft deliveries.

Related news: https://airguide.info/?s=Philippine+Airlines

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, Aviation Week Network