Philippine Airlines Finalizes Airbus Deal for Nine A350-1000s, With Rights to Five More

Philippine Airlines finalized definitive agreements with Airbus and Rolls-Royce for nine A350-1000 aircraft, with purchase rights for five more, the carrier said on November 5, 2026. The Inquirer reported that the signing formalized commitments first announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in July and brought PAL's total firm A350-1000 orders to 18 aircraft.

PAL's Nine-Jet Airbus Signing

Philippine Airlines is the Lucio Tan-led Philippine flag carrier. Airbus is a Netherlands-incorporated aerospace manufacturer producing commercial aircraft, helicopters, military systems and satellites. The aircraft are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines and feature PAL's new-generation cabin products, including 42 business-class seats with sliding privacy doors, alongside premium economy and economy accommodations.

PAL expects to take delivery of the nine additional aircraft between 2034 and 2036. The jets are expected to support expansion across its long-haul network, particularly nonstop services connecting the Philippines with North America, and reinforce its position as the first and only Southeast Asian airline operating the A350-1000, which it currently deploys on routes to the United States and Canada.

Lucio Tan III, chair of PAL and president and chief operating officer of its parent PAL Holdings Inc., said the agreement underscored the airline's commitment to investing in its future. "For eight and a half decades, we have connected people, businesses and communities across the Philippines and around the world," Tan said. "As we honor that legacy, we must also prepare for the decades ahead, and today's agreements are an important part of that preparation." Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Airbus executive vice president for sales, said the additional aircraft would help PAL strengthen its position in the competitive premium transpacific market.

PAL currently operates 86 aircraft, including 65 Airbus jets. A day before the signing, PAL disclosed that it had incurred a $159-million net loss in the first three quarters of 2026, reversing a $158.7-million profit a year earlier, as its fuel expenses surged by $339.4 million. PAL generated $247 million in free cash flow and more than doubled its cash and short-term investments to $879 million as of end-September.

Airbus's Wider Order Book

According to akta.pro company records, Airbus signed a €7.3 billion agreement with Air Astana and Kazakhstan sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna in June 2026 for up to 50 A320neo/A321neo aircraft, part of a broader Kazakhstan-EU aviation package that included a €150 million European Investment Bank transport loan. The same records list a June 2026 post-IPO debt round of $1.1 billion led by the European Investment Bank.

PAL's Cargo and Route Moves

IBS Software's iCargo cloud platform was selected by Philippine Airlines to replace its current cargo system, covering sales, ground handling and accounting, PR Newswire reported in October 2026. The platform will support domestic and international operations, including customs reporting and regulatory compliance. The Manila Times reported that PAL resumed direct flights between Manila and Saipan after months of delays following Typhoon Sinlaku, with the first returning flight landing at 4:25 a.m. on a Monday in October 2026.