Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) will officially retire the B747-400 from revenue service in May as it moves ahead with its fleet renewal programme. The ch-aviation aircraft database lists the Filipino national carrier's 747 fleet as consisting of three B747-400s, whose average age is 20.2 years, and a single 19 year-old B747-400(M), all of which are used on flights from Manila Ninoy Aquino International to Los Angeles International, San Francisco and Xiamen.
The quadjets are to be replaced on long-haul services with the airline's growing fleet of B777-300(ER)s.
Manila's Business Mirror quotes airline President and Chief Operating Officer, Ramon S. Ang, as saying a total of twenty aircraft are to be retired during the course of this year - a necessary one-off expense aimed at improving the carrier's fuel efficiency as well as long-term viability.
