Philippine Airlines (PAL) will proceed with its programmed purchase of six Boeing 777s as it plans to explore new destinations.

Henry So Uy, PAL deputy CEO and executive vice president-commercial group, told the BusinessMirror that the first two B777s are expected to arrive in September 2009, the next two airplanes in October 2010 and the rest would be in 2011.

In an interview at the Caticlan Airport following the inaugural flight of PAL Express twin turbo-prop Bombardier Q300, Uy said PAL plans to “explore other destinations.” This is an alternative move as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has yet to allow the flag carrier to enter the US territory until the country has recovered its category 1 status.

“If the FAA will not allow us to mount additional flights until the country has recovered its Category 1 status, then PAL may have to try to open new destinations,” Uy said.

He said the six additional B777s was supposed to be added to the existing flights to San Francisco and Los Angeles.

When the FAA downgraded the country last November 2007 to Category 2 status, the immediate effect was the cessation of additional flights by Philippine carriers from Manila to any US destination.

Uy added that PAL is considering plans to resume its Middle East (ME) operations, which ceased in 1998 due to alleged unfair competition from carriers in the region, which are able to lower their fares due to strong subsidy from their respective governments.

“We are exploring the possibility of using the B777s to the ME if we found out that it is the right aircraft in terms of fuel efficiency so that we could also offer lower fares,” So added.

Until then, Uy said PAL will have to continue its code-sharing arrangements with other air carriers in the Middle East.

Currently, PAL operates code-shared flights with Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways Malaysia Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Air Macau and subsidiary Air Philippines that allow it to link Manila and Cebu with 16 domestic and 11 international points.

With an all-jet fleet of 35 aircraft— five B747-400, four AirbusA340-300s, eight Airbus A330-300s, 14 Airbus A320 and four Airbus A319s, PAL operates one of the youngest fleets in the region.

From its modern hub at the Centennial Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, PAL serves 43 online destinations, 17 domestic and 26 international points in 13 countries and territories.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will proceed with its programmed purchase of six Boeing 777s as it plans to explore new destinations.

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