Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) has signed a sale-and-leaseback agreement for two A350-1000s with BOC Aviation and inducted the first of five incremental leased A320-200s to expand its domestic capacity.

The Singapore-based lessor said in a statement that the two widebodies would be on long-term operating leases. The first A350-1000 is scheduled for delivery by December 2025. Both aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines and will be configured with 382 seats: 42 in business class, 24 in premium economy, and 316 in economy.

Philippine Airlines president Richard Nuttall said the addition of the type is a "pivotal step" and aligns with the carrier's fleet modernisation programme and overall strategy to be more globally competitive.

In total, the Filipino flag carrier has nine A350-1000s on a direct order, which it firmed during the 2023 Paris Air Show. Its long-haul fleet comprises eleven A330-300s, two A350-900s, and ten B777-300ERs.

Separately, the airline announced on December 3 that it had taken delivery of the first of five additional A320-200s. RP-C8934 (msn 5773), which was placed on the air operator's certificate of PAL Express, began revenue operations on November 16, and is the first A320 to enter the fleet since 2012. A second unit is expected before the end of 2025, with the remaining three scheduled to join the fleet in 2026.

The narrowbodies are powered by CFM International CFM56 engines and configured with 180 seats in an all-economy layout.

"By expanding our A320 fleet, we are providing travellers with more reliable, convenient, and comfortable options," said PAL Express president Rabbi Vincent Ang.

The latest delivery brings the Philippine Airlines' total narrowbody fleet across the two certificates to 80 aircraft, including sixteen A320-200s, twenty-two A321-200s, six A321-200Ns, and two A321-200NX.