4 December 2025
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is renewing the fleet of its low cost subsidiary PAL Express (GAP) by replacing nine of its oldest A320 ceo fleet with newer models pending its planned acquisition of brand new aircraft expected to be announce in 2027.
Rabbi Vincent Ang, President of PAL Express said the leased aircraft would replaced initially five (5) of the retiring A320 fleet in a transaction valued at $490 million, according to London-based aviation consultancy Axon Aviation. The airline said some of its older aircraft has reached its retirement age this year and next year, prompting PAL to replace them with newer models to enable it to boost its fleet for domestic operations for another six years pending arrival of its new aircraft acquisition orders.
PAL said they will replace 2 frames this year with another A320 arriving this month leased from aircraft lessors, and with three more joining the fleet in 2026, and 4 more in 2027, the carrier announced on Wednesday.
Ang said some of the newer aircraft were previously operated brand new by PAL Express in 2011 before they were returned to lessor at the expiration of their leases, and has since wore other airline colors.
The airline said the newer A320ceos will still be configured to carry 180 passengers, same as their original single class configurations in 2011.
“By expanding our A320 fleet, we are providing travelers with more reliable, convenient and comfortable options,” said Ang.
PAL Express currently operates 16 A320 aircraft.
The airline recently increased flight frequencies on key domestic routes with the arrival of newer fleet by expanding Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Legazpi (Daraga), Dumaguete, and Tacloban, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to stronger connectivity.
PAL separately is scheduled to receive nine A321neo jets beginning January of next year.
