Philippine Airlines A350 commitments expanded on Nov. 5 when the carrier, Airbus and Rolls-Royce signed definitive agreements for nine additional A350-1000 aircraft and their Trent XWB-97 engines. The contract also gives the airline purchase rights for five more aircraft.
The Manila signing moves the nine additional aircraft beyond the memorandum-of-understanding stage announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in July. Philippine Airlines says the firm agreement takes its total A350-1000 commitment to 18 airplanes.
The distinction matters: nine aircraft are now covered by definitive agreements, while the five purchase rights are not equivalent to firm orders. The carrier did not provide a complete delivery timetable for every aircraft in the Nov. 5 announcement.
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Philippine Airlines A350 order confirms nine aircraft
Philippine Airlines said executives from the airline, Airbus and Rolls-Royce signed the agreements in Manila as the carrier prepares for a further phase of long-haul network development. The announcement refers to nine additional Airbus A350-1000s, plus an opportunity to acquire five more later if the airline exercises its rights.
An option or purchase right leaves a future commercial decision open. Counting those five as ordered would overstate the airline’s present firm commitment. The airline’s total of 18 A350-1000 aircraft reflects its existing commitments together with the latest nine, according to its release.
Airbus is responsible for the airframes and Rolls-Royce supplies the Trent XWB-97 engines. The firms described a coordinated agreement, but the company statement did not disclose a combined purchase price for the aircraft, engines or related services.
The Nov. 5 development is a contract milestone, not a delivery ceremony for the nine newly ordered aircraft. It should not be confused with the carrier’s already operating A350-1000 aircraft.
Rolls-Royce engines and TotalCare form part of the agreement
The Trent XWB-97 is the engine variant fitted to the Airbus A350-1000. Philippine Airlines said the new agreements cover that engine and associated support from Rolls-Royce, providing another element of the carrier’s long-haul fleet plan.
Rolls-Royce’s TotalCare arrangement is intended to provide engine support under a longer-term service model. The Nov. 5 announcement does not quantify any guaranteed maintenance savings or disclose all of the future service dates, so those outcomes should not be assumed.
An airframe purchase and an engine-support agreement cover different elements of aircraft operation. The airline has committed to acquiring additional aircraft while also arranging the equipment and services needed to keep them operating over time.
Philippine Airlines said the new A350-1000 commitments will support future expansion of its long-distance services. Individual routes and deployment dates should be confirmed from separate airline schedule announcements.
Long-haul fleet expansion builds on existing service
The carrier already uses the A350-1000 for nonstop service between the Philippines and destinations in North America. It identified U.S. East and West Coast and Canadian markets as examples of where customers encounter the aircraft today.
Philippine Airlines said the type gives it greater flexibility to serve longer nonstop routes. The airline also cited improved fuel efficiency and passenger experience, but the statement does not specify comparative fuel-savings figures for the newly ordered aircraft.
A separate fleet timetable development was previously covered in TAD’s Philippine Airlines A350 service report. That earlier item concerns actual flight schedules, while the latest report concerns firm procurement agreements.
The Philippine Airlines announcement identifies both the commercial agreement and the broader intended role of the fleet. Precise aircraft delivery slots and a final route assignment remain separate decisions.
FAQ: Philippine Airlines A350
How many Philippine Airlines A350 aircraft were added to the order?
The carrier signed definitive agreements for nine more A350-1000s, bringing its stated total commitment to 18.
Are the additional five A350-1000s already firm orders?
No. Philippine Airlines described purchase rights for five more airplanes, which are distinct from the nine aircraft covered by definitive agreements.
Which engines will power the new aircraft?
The agreements cover Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, alongside a support arrangement described by the companies.
Looking Ahead
The next milestones are detailed aircraft delivery announcements, any exercise of the five additional purchase rights and future route assignments. The Nov. 5 agreement confirms the procurement step without establishing when all new airplanes will enter passenger service.
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