Manila: The Philippine Airlines (PAL), the country’s flag carrier, has started flying its Airbus A330-300 aircraft to Abu Dhabi International Airport, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
PAL’s new plane will continue flying to Abu Dhabi five times a week, every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, said PAL President Ramon Ang.
Before the end of the year, PAL Express, an economy flight, will start flying to Dubai and Doha in November. It will also reach Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia in December, said Ang.
“The return of PAL to the Middle East will not only offer overseas Filipino workers the most direct link to the Philippines but also provide travellers convenient connections with PAL’s extensive international and domestic route network from our hub in Manila,” Ang said.
Made in Toulouse, France, PAL’s first brand-new Airbus A330-300 arrived in Manila on September 28. Four more of these plane models will be delivered to PAL before the end of the year, according to Ang.
PAL’s Airbus 330-300, has 414 seats, Rolls Royce Trent engine, larger fuel tanks, and bigger passenger and cargo capacity, said Ang.
PAL’s fleet also includes A330 models.
Since March 2012, PAL has acquired 17 airplanes including the high end B777-300ER; the long-range A340-300; the single-aisle A320-200; and a derivative model, the A321-231.
The carrier has scheduled an acquisition of 60 aircraft until 2019, with its current fleet comprising 44 jets.
