Air Philippines to Acquire A320 Fleet

Air Philippines plans to acquire a fleet of 20 Airbus A320 aircraft over a four-year period.

The carrier is currently relaunching under the brand name Airphil Express with the acquisition of two new leased Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

Four new A320s will be delivered to Airphil between September and November 2010 with four more due next year followed by five aircraft in 2012 and another five in 2013.

The 150-seater narrow body jets, capable of flying 3,200nm, will join the airline's existing fleet of eight Bombardier Q400 and Q300 turboprop aircraft.

Airphil Express president David Lim said that the modernisation of the fleet would enable the company to increase its market share while the industry braces for the eventual rebound.