Manila: Flag carrier Philippine Airlines announced on Friday it will utilize bigger aircraft for its Manila-Puerto Princesa flights beginning Dec. 17. The Airbus A330-300 has 363 seats, featuring 18 seats in Business Class, 33 in Comfort Class, and 312 in Economy Class.

According to Philippines News Agency, PAL senior vice president for Operations Roland Narciso stated that utilizing the widebody fleet on flights to Puerto Princesa will enhance operational efficiency and improve overall customer satisfaction. This move will also provide Palawan residents with more opportunities to explore the Philippines and beyond. Narciso added that PAL has been collaborating closely with airport authorities to ensure a smooth transition to widebody operations in Puerto Princesa.

The deployment of A330s is expected to boost cargo capacity, supporting increased freight movement and offering businesses greater opportunities to ship goods efficiently. The Airbus A330 will operate on the Puerto Princesa route thrice weekly, with flights scheduled every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Additionally, passengers from select international destinations can connect to Puerto Princesa via PAL's Manila hub.