Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced a strategic wet-lease agreement with Wamos Air to ensure smooth operations during the upcoming peak travel season. This temporary partnership will see PAL bolster its fleet with two (02) Airbus A330-200 aircraft for a five-month period, starting 01 June 2024.
“We have additional maintenance requirements during this period due to global supply chain issues that continue to impact the industry. We see the need to temporarily add these aircraft to ensure that we have sufficient capacity to meet the demand that we are anticipating across our network. We chose Wamos Air because of their track record as one of Europe’s leading charter carriers. We are working closely with the carrier to ensure that our passengers will continue to receive the service quality they can expect from Philippine Airlines,” according to PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Capt. Stanley K. Ng.
The leased A330-200s, configured with dual seating classes, will operate on the Manila-Sydney-Manila and Manila-Melbourne-Manila routes. Passengers can expect amenities comparable to PAL’s existing A330 fleet and will receive the same exceptional service standards both on the ground and in flight. In addition, the PAL cabin crew will be present on board to deliver the airline’s signature hospitality.
Wet-lease agreements involve the lessor providing a complete operational package, including aircraft (A), crew (C), maintenance (M), and insurance (I). Wamos Air, a leading European charter and wet-lease carrier, boasts a strong safety record with certification from the International Air Transport Association’s Operational Safety Audit. They have extensive experience in wet-lease operations, having successfully collaborated with over 50 airlines worldwide.
This strategic partnership ensures PAL maintains its flight frequency during the peak season. Passengers on the Manila-Sydney route can continue to enjoy daily flights, while Melbourne will retain its five-times weekly service.