Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Jaime Bautista, has set out the carrier's plans for the next five years wherein it expects to carry over 20 million passengers per annum by 2021.

Speaking to the Filipino press during the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) general meeting last week, Bautista was quoted by the Manila Standard newspaper as saying the carrier would expand its current fleet of eighty-two aircraft to at least ninety-six by 2021. According to the ch-aviation aircraft database, PAL operates eight A320-200s, twenty-one A321-200s, fifteen A330-300s, six A340-300s, and eight B777-300ERs at its mainline service and eleven A320-200s, three A321-200s, four DHC-8-300s, and six DHC-8-400s at its PAL Express operation.

"In doing so, we will phase out 18 older aircraft and take delivery of 27 brand-new airplanes,” he said.

The carrier's order book currently includes new aircraft due from each of Airbus, Boeing, and Bombardier Aerospace.

Concerning the European manufacturer, PAL has twenty-one A321neo and six A350-900s on order, deliveries of which are scheduled to begin in 2018.

“Next year, we will start flying the Airbus A321 Neo, including a special longer-range version that will enable us to launch nonstop services to Brisbane International, Delhi International, Perth International, Mumbai International, and Sapporo Chitose, as well as increase flights to Melbourne Airport and other Asia/Pacific destinations,” Bautista said.

“Also in 2018, we are excited to introduce the Airbus A350 as our new ultra-long-range flagship, a 295-seater wide-body airplane that will help us link the Philippines nonstop to New York JFK, Chicago O'Hare, Seattle Tacoma International and far-flung points in Europe and North America,” he added.

Concerning outstanding Boeing orders, the COO said PAL would take delivery of two brand new B777-300ERs later this year for use in developing its trans-Pacific network. The two will complement the ten other aircraft of the same type PAL already operates to New York, Los Angeles International, San Francisco, Toronto Pearson, Vancouver International, and London Heathrow, Bautista said.

Concerning its outstanding Bombardier Aerospace (BBA, Montréal Trudeau) order for twelve DHC-8-400s, Bautista said the turboprops would be used to revamp its commuter unit PAL Express's fleet.

To support these ambitious growth plans, Bautista confirmed PAL, together with a possible partner, was looking to construct a PHP20 billion Philippine peso (USD391 million) annex building at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport's Terminal 2, which is currently used exclusively by PAL. The proposed site is the former Nayong Pilipino park owned by the state gaming regulator.

The proposed terminal will measure 89,000sqm and will be capable of handling 12-15 million passengers per annum. It will also include a cargo terminal, multi-level parking for 1,000 vehicles, groundhandling facilities, and enough aerobridges to handle between twelve and seventeen narrow- and wide-body jets. Construction is expected to start by December 2020.