Confirmed: Philippine Airlines taps GE Aerospace for 787 engine deal

Insider Spotlight

• Philippine Airlines selected GE Aerospace's GEnx-1B engines for 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, with purchase rights for five more aircraft.
• The agreement reinforces PAL's fleet modernization strategy and long-haul network expansion ahead of deliveries scheduled from 2031 to 2034.
• The deal was signed at the Farnborough International Airshow, extending the long-standing partnership between PAL and GE Aerospace.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has signed an agreement with GE Aerospace for GEnx-1B engines that will power its 15 new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, marking another step in the flag carrier's long-term fleet modernization program and international expansion strategy.

In a press statement early Tuesday, July 21, 2026, the Lucio Tan-owned airline said the deal also includes purchase rights for engines for five additional aircraft, providing PAL flexibility for future growth.

The agreement was formalized during the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, with PAL Holdings Inc. president and chief operating officer Lucio Tan III, Philippine Airlines president Richard Nuttall, and GE Aerospace executives leading the signing ceremony. Deliveries of the new aircraft are expected between 2031 and 2034.

Why it matters

The engine selection strengthens PAL's investment in fuel-efficient, next-generation widebody aircraft as competition intensifies on long-haul international routes. The Boeing 787-10 is expected to support the airline's plans to expand its global network while improving operating efficiency and reducing emissions.

GE Aerospace said the GEnx-1B engine combines efficiency, durability, reliability, and lower emissions through advanced materials and engineering, supporting quieter and more sustainable long-haul operations.

The big picture

"As we continue to invest in our fleet and expand our international network, GE Aerospace remains an important partner of Philippine Airlines," Tan said. "We are confident that the GEnx engines will provide the reliability, efficiency, and performance needed to support our operations and deliver an even better travel experience for our customers."

"Philippine Airlines’ selection of the GEnx engine for its new Boeing 787-10 fleet builds on our long-standing relationship and reflects the strength of our technology, services and support," GE Aerospace commercial engines and services president and CEO Mohamed Ali said. "We are proud to support PAL as it grows its widebody fleet with an engine that delivers proven reliability, fuel efficiency and strong operating performance."

PAL, founded in 1941, operates nonstop services from Manila and Cebu to 29 domestic destinations and 40 international destinations across Asia, North America, Australia, and the Middle East. The airline said the new Dreamliners will support its long-term strategy to modernize its fleet while meeting growing demand for international travel.

— Edited by Daxim L. Lucas