For Immediate North America Deployment
May 3, 2013 |
Airbus is leasing four A340-300 to Philippine Airlines as stop- gap measure to its flight operations in North America. The airline plans to add flights to Hawaii, Los Angeles and San francisco. The four A340-300 were previously operated by Spain's Iberia Airlines of the International Airlines Group previously registered ex EC-HDQ (Cn 302), EC-HGU
(Cn 318), EC-HGX (Cn332), EC-LHM (Cn 387). They will be re-registered in the Philippines as RP-C3435, RP-C3436, RP-C3437, RP-C3438.
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It was my understanding that these aircraft were slated for European services. I thought that due to category 2 restrictions, PAL cannot change the aircraft currently serving its US routes.
ReplyDeleteMANILA, Philippines – Philippine Airlines (PAL) is getting ready to fly to Europe.
ReplyDeleteJointly owned by taipan Lucio Tan and diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), the legacy carrier will acquire 4 new Airbus aircraft in preparation for the long haul flights to Europe.
“Yesterday our board approved the acquisition of 4 new units of Airbus 340-300 in preparation for long haul going to Europe,” PAL president and COO Ramon Ang said on the sidelines of a launch event announcing PAL’s 12 new routes.
Where did you get the information confirming they will be deployed on services to the USA?
they currently utilize A340s to US. while the PH air carriers are still banned to operate in EU. and with the cease of ops of HAL to MNL, it is more of a possibility that they use this to US routes.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget they still cannot use thier 777s to US.. it could also be that their current A340s will undergo heavy MX check..
my observation..
They might use this aircraft to moscow and istanbul
ReplyDeleteThe new A330s to be delivered are supposed have the range to reach Moscow and Istanbul. This is more likely to circumvent Cat2 restrictions for the US or to help augment the long-haul fleet for the short-term as PAL eventually expands to the EU (if and when allowed). This could also signal that PAL is actually looking at next-generation aircraft for the long-haul fleet - adding more speculation to the possibilities of the 777X as it enters service at the end of this decade.
DeleteUse of these planes is dependent on whether CAAP will pass the FAA audit in order to expand its US operations. While it is true that CAAP received a favorable report from ICAO, it remains to be seen whether this will bear any significance in the FAA audit. Same is true for the EU audit for its planned "comeback" to Europe.
ReplyDeletePAL is allowed to use B747 or A340 to USA but not B777. At least not yet. PAL intends to do double daily to LAX and add more frequency to Hawaii. The Europe route applied covers Istanbul and Moscow not within EU. It's possible two frames will be used on that route.
ReplyDeleteSo when it states that PAL must pass FAA audit in order to expand US operations, that means they cannot fly new aircraft type to the US, service any new destinations beyond what currently exists BUT they can increase frequency?
DeleteAng did specifically state in an interview that the aircraft were Europe bound which suggests Moscow and Istanbul. He did indicate he wanted Europe to be on the winter schedule. What is the source of information regarding deployment to the US? Do we know when these aircraft are due to arrive?
Darryl, PAL never failed the audit. It isn't the one that was downgraded by the FAA. Rather it is the Philippine counterpart of the FAA (known as ATO then and since renamed CAAP). A downgrade results to a status quo of Operating Specs (OP-Specs) of all Philippine CARRIERS ( most writers use the word airlines thus the confusion). Therefore, PAL can only use their aircrafts prior to the downgrade. Recall that the FAA downgraded the ATO right after PAL ordered the 777s and right about when Hawaiian Airlines started its flights to MNL. It is never a level playing field when you play with Uncle Sam.
DeleteYes, I understand that the downgrade applies to all Philippine carriers across the board.
DeleteWhat I was actually trying to ask is if PAL is able to increase frequency on its current routes to the US while the CAAP remains in Category 2 status? I have read mixed answers on what PAL can or can't do until the CAAP is upgraded back to Category 1. Some people have suggested that PAL can circumnavigate the category 2 status by ordering additional A340's as they are able increase frequency as long as a similar aircraft type is maintained.
Ultimately, the purpose of the question is to determine if the new four A340 additions to the PAL fleet can be deployed to increase frequency on US routes as the post above states.
I just want someone who has some kind of credibility to provide us with a definitive answer on this.
PAL has been adding and dropping frequency to LAX and SFO for quite some time now even after the downgrade. What PAL can't do is open new routes or deploy new planes to the US.
DeleteWhy can't they use b777s? Isn't it new unlike the a340s and b747s? In my opinion new =safe and the fact that those b777s are from the US. Makes me wonder...
ReplyDeleteThese A340's are the last build A340's. So they're pretty new and staying with PAL's fleet, not PALExpress.
DeleteThey can't use 77W's because of a CAT2 ban in the USA. No new aircraft type can be flown in the US, and the only aircraft that can fly here is the 747-400 and the Airbus A340-300.
@ Calvin Serrano: Who says these 340s will go to Pal Express? It was never mentioned in the article.
ReplyDeleteI though it'll be added to the existing 4 that would make 8 A340-300s =)
ReplyDeleteQuoting Anonymous May 4, 2013 at 8:11 AM: the current 4 A340-300s will undergo heavy MX check. My apologies for my ignorance, how long would that heavy MX check last? It is as if nothing will changed for quite sometime.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteThese A340's will be leased from Airbus and previously operated by Iberia. Will be used while awaiting for the arrival of the high gross weight ordered A330's. Remember PAL will operate to six cities in the ME in October. PAL will not let Ceb Pac have all the initiatives and grab headlines with their heavily advertized flight to Dubai in October
PAL said in a latest briefing that they change some of the Iberia frames let from Airbus without elaborating further. No explanation was given.
ReplyDeleteRP-C3435, 3436 and 3437 have been seen In Vancouver over the past 2 weeks
ReplyDelete