PSI Air 2007 (CM, Angeles City Clark International) has acquired its first widebody jet for use in launching in-house intercontinental cargo flights, its application to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for exemption authority and a foreign air carrier permit has revealed.
In its filing dated September 7, PSI Air 2007 is asking for the green light to fly cargo and mail via scheduled and on-demand flights between:
- Philippines - United States;
- US - Asia (Viet Nam, Hong Kong, China, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Sri Lanka) - Philippines; and
- US - Netherlands - Germany - UAE - Philippines.
The airline says it plans to initially operate a daily widebody flight between Manila Ninoy Aquino International and/or Angeles City Clark International and Chicago O'Hare. Also planned is a daily widebody service between Manila and/or Clark and Ontario International in California.
The application notes the airline already operates mail and cargo flights between the Philippines, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. It further notes flights to the US are an extension of PSI's existing network and will provide an "important cargo link" between the two countries.
The only dedicated cargo airline in the Philippines, PSI Air 2007 said it would use its recently acquired B777-200 - RP-7110 (msn 27728) - a registration currently assigned to a B727-200(F) owned the airline. PSI Air 2007 Chairman Celso Mercado told ch-aviation the intention is to remove the B727 from service and keep the registration number for the incoming B777.
According to the ch-aviation fleets module, msn 27728 was last HS-TJC with Thai Airways International (TG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) for which it flew between delivery in 1996 and March 2020 when it was mothballed. The 26-year-old jet, which has been stored at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi ever since, features Rolls-Royce Trent 875-17 engines. Despite its proposed cargo role, it has not yet been repurposed into a freighter.
"There is presently no direct, dedicated widebody freighter service between the US and the Philippines," the application reads. "Existing air cargo services between the two countries is provided by one carrier (belly loads only) on a frequency of three times per week, limiting the types of cargo that can be carried."
According to the ch-aviation fleets module, PSI Air 2007 has three aircraft in its fleet, including B727-200F RP-C7110 (msn 21249); a B737-300(F) - RP-C8110 (msn 23809); and an inactive B737-300(QC) - RP-C9110 (msn 23810). In June, the airline was actively hiring for B737 and ATR72 roles suggesting plans to also add ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprops. PSI only began flying in 2020 and only started international operations in 2021.
