Boeing Delivers First 777 to Philippine Airlines

Boeing has delivered a 777-300ER (Extended Range) to U.S.-based leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services and its customer, Philippine Airlines (PAL).

The new airplane is the first 777 to join PAL's fleet and is one of two leased 777-300ERs the airline will deploy on its international routes. In addition the airline has four more 777-300ERs on order directly from Boeing from 2007.

Boeing, PAL and three non-profits leveraged this delivery to bring relief to residents who were recently devastated by the massive floods from Typhoon Ketsana. With the help of AmeriCares, Humanitarian International Services Group (HISG) and Kids Against Hunger, Boeing and PAL loaded nearly 18,000 pounds of medical supplies and packaged meals into the cargo hold of the 777-300ER.

"It is our great hope that this collaborative effort will bring some comfort to the flood victims during this very challenging time," said Fred Kiga, vice president, State and Local Government Relations and Global Corporate Citizenship for the Northwest Region.

Jaime J. Bautista, PAL president, who led a small PAL delegation that joined the delivery flight to Manila, said he was glad to be able to personally deliver the relief donations to the Philippines. "The airlift of relief goods is inherent to our mandate as the Philippines flag carrier. Earlier, we conducted a similar airlift of relief from local donors. I am sure these donations will go a long way in alleviating the plight of the victims and help in rebuilding their lives," Bautista said.

To celebrate the arrival of its newest and most technologically-advanced aircraft, the airline is offering a new promotion on selected domestic destinations. These domestic routes will be flown using PAL’s current fleet of Boeing 747s, Airbus A340s, A330s, A320s and A319s. 
Fares as low as P777 are available for a limited period between Manila and 11 domestic destinations – Laoag, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Kalibo, Tagbilaran, Tacloban, Dumaguete and Roxas.

Eight Mindanao destinations, meanwhile, have fares as low as P1,777 – Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Dipolog, General Santos, Zamboanga, Ozamiz and Butuan.

The all-in (inclusive of VAT), one-way fares are on sale now until 25 November 2009 for travel between 1 - 25 December 2009 and 1 February to 25 March 2010.

The addition of the 777-300ER to the PAL fleet brings new twin-engine efficiency to the airline's long-haul fleet. The airplanes are powered by GE90-115BLs, one of the world's largest and most powerful commercial jet engines. The 777-300ER has a cargo capacity of up to 7,120 cubic feet (201.6 cubic meters).

The Boeing 777-300ER can seat up to 365 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km).

Philippine Airlines, the national flag carrier, conducted its first flight on 15 March 1941. It has been operating longer than any other airline in Asia.

See recent travel news from: Travel News Asia, Boeing, 777, PAL, Philippine Airlines, Philippines