Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino Int'l) will take delivery of its first A350-900(ULR) in March next year the carrier's President and CEO Jaime J. Bautista has announced.

According to Business Mirror magazine, Bautista told a press conference last week that of the remaining six aircraft of the type on order from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac), another would arrive during the first half of 2018 followed by two more during the second. Finally, the remaining two A350s will arrive in 2019. 

All are Ultra Long Range variants and will be able to undertake non-stop Manila Ninoy Aquino Int'l-New York JFK flights, he said. Though the A350 is being considered for European flights, Bautista said initial priority will be given to the US West Coast market as well as other destinations such as Seattle Tacoma Int'lChicago O'HareMiami Int'l, and San Diego Int'l which are all being looked at.

It is recalled that Philippine Airlines has options for a further six A350s as per its agreement with Airbus that was finalized last year.