Key facts
- Philippine Airlines is set to order 15 Boeing 787-10 aircraft and nine Airbus A350-1000 jets.
- This order represents Philippine Airlines' first purchase from Boeing in nearly 20 years.
- The engine selection for the Boeing 787s will involve a competition between Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace.
- The aircraft orders are anticipated to be officially announced at the Farnborough Airshow.
Philippine Airlines is reportedly preparing to place a significant order for aircraft, including 15 Boeing 787-10s and nine Airbus A350-1000s. This potential deal marks a notable shift, as it would be the airline's first purchase from Boeing in nearly two decades. The engine selection for the Boeing aircraft is expected to spark a contest between Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace. The announcement is anticipated to occur at the upcoming Farnborough Airshow.
This move follows a disclosure by the airline's president in June about plans to acquire new planes. Earlier reports suggested a split order for around 20 aircraft between Airbus and Boeing. Philippine Airlines currently operates a mixed fleet of Airbus A330s, Boeing 777s, and some A350s. The 787-10 is a direct competitor to Airbus's A330neo.
The potential order comes as the U.S. seeks to reduce its trade deficit with the Philippines, which was nearly $5 billion in 2024, with the Philippines pledging increased imports from the U.S. Simultaneously, Philippine Airlines is expanding its operations, supported by the country's plans for a new airport and the airline's recent announcement to join the oneworld Alliance.