Avation PLC’s first aeroplane, a 777-300ER (Extended Range), was the newest addition to the fleet of Philippine Airlines (PAL).
This delivery has increased the Southeast Asia-based flag carrier’s 777-300ER aircraft count to 10, and also marks the first twin-aisle delivery for the leasing company of Boeing. PAL recently received its ninth 777-300ER directly from the aviation technology firm and will use both planes on its trans-Pacific flights immediately.
Jeff Chatfield, Avation PLC executive chairman, shared, ‘We are pleased our first twin-aisle delivery is a 777-300ER, the marquee aircraft in its class. We are confident this will both complement our regional and single-aisle fleet and will prove helpful to our growth as a full-service commercial aircraft lessor.’
‘The new aircraft will serve our long-haul operations,’ remarked Jaime Bautista, PAL president & chief operating officer. ‘While we already have eight 777s serving the West Coast, the incoming units will also augment other flights between the Philippines and North America.’
Bautista added that PAL’s 777 aeroplanes are vital to its long-haul operations. ‘These 777s have the range, the operational capability and the ability to enhance the total passenger travel experience and in-flight service delivery,’ he said. ‘These aircraft help PAL to keep up with other full-service carriers along the route.’
As the most successful twin-engine, long-haul aircraft in current history, the 777-300ER is equipped with the world’s most powerful GE90-115B commercial jet engine. It can seat up to 386 passengers in a three-class configuration with a maximum range of 14,490 km.
PAL will fly the 777-300ER directly from Boeing’s factory at Everett, Washington to Vancouver, British Columbia, where the aeroplanes will enter revenue service to Manila.
‘Boeing and PAL have been strong partners for decades, and it is a special occasion as we deliver their 10th 777-300ER,’ said Dinesh Keskar, Boeing Commercial Airplanes senior vice president for Asia Pacific & India sales. ‘The 777 continues to outperform by all measures, providing exceptional value to our airline and leasing customers. There is no better testament to this than PAL’s confidence in putting its new 777-300 directly into service with its flight from Vancouver to Manila.’
A commercial passenger aircraft leasing company based in the United Kingdom, Avation PLC owns and manages a fleet of jet and turboprop aircraft for leasing to airlines across the world. The firm counts Fiji Airways, Thomas Cook, Virgin Australia, Mandarin Airlines and Vietjet Air among its other customers.
