Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) has abandoned its Australian expansion plans just days after majority shareholder, Lucio Tan, agreed to acquire San Miguel Corp's minority shareholding in the company.
Filipino press reports state the carrier has already cancelled plans to lease in five ex-Shanghai Airlines (FM, Shanghai Hongqiao) B757-200s from Boeing Capital Corporation. The twinjets were to have been used on planned flights to Perth International and Brisbane International.
The Philippine Airspace blog states Philippine Airlines plans to upgrade its existing Darwin and Brisbane International services to an A321-200 (sl) from December with Melbourne Tullamarine to follow in due course.
