Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has entered into a temporary wet-lease agreement with Wamos Air, one of Europe’s more prominent charter and wet lease carriers.
Based on the airline’s website, the agreement aims to ensure PAL’s effective fleet management and operational resilience during the upcoming peak travel period.
The partnership, effective June 1, 2024, will see PAL utilize two Airbus A330-200s from Wamos Air for a five-month period.
PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Capt. Stanley K. Ng said, “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.”
According to PAL, Wamos Air, known for its long-haul, wide-body operations, has a strong reputation for reliability and extensive experience in wet-lease operations, having successfully partnered with over 50 airlines globally.
The carrier is certified by IATA’s Operational Safety Audit and has a significant presence in the leisure and tourism sectors, frequently operating charter flights.
“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,” added Capt. Ng.
The leased aircraft, with a dual-class configuration, will operate the following routes:
- Manila – Sydney (PR211)
- Sydney – Manila (PR212)
- Manila – Melbourne (PR209)
- Melbourne – Manila (PR210)
Passengers on these flights will experience a comparable level of service to PAL’s own A330s. They will receive the same on-ground and inflight services, including access to Mabuhay Lounge and partner lounges, as well as the opportunity to earn Mabuhay Miles.
While the aircraft and crew will be from Wamos Air, PAL has ensured that its signature service remains a priority. Three PAL cabin crew members will be onboard each flight to deliver “our signature heartfelt brand of service,” the airline said.
Business class passengers will continue to enjoy 20 full-flat all-aisle access seats, each with its own personal screen. Inflight entertainment and PAL’s signature meals will also be available.
The temporary wet-lease arrangement allows PAL to maintain its operational capacity during a period of high demand. Notably, peak travel for these Australian routes are during the winter season.
In a wet lease arrangement, the lessor provides aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) to another airline for a specified period.
This trend of airlines utilizing temporary lease agreements to bolster their fleets is not unique to PAL. Cebu Pacific, for instance, has recently entered into a damp-lease agreement with Bulgaria Air for two Airbus A320s to augment its domestic routes.
Philippine Airlines operates daily flights to Sydney and five times weekly services to Melbourne.
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