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EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) today delivered a 777-300ER (Extended Range) to U.S.-based leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and its customer, Philippine Airlines (PAL).

The new airplane is the first 777 to join PAL’s fleet and is one of two leased 777-300ERs the airline will deploy on its international routes. In addition the airline has four more 777-300ERs on order directly from Boeing from 2007.

Boeing, PAL and three non-profits leveraged this delivery to bring relief to residents who were recently devastated by the massive floods from Typhoon Ketsana. With the help of AmeriCares, Humanitarian International Services Group (HISG) and Kids Against Hunger, Boeing and PAL loaded nearly 18,000 pounds of medical supplies and packaged meals into the cargo hold of the 777-300ER.

“It is our great hope that this collaborative effort will bring some comfort to the flood victims during this very challenging time,” said Fred Kiga, vice president, State and Local Government Relations and Global Corporate Citizenship for the Northwest Region.

Jaime J. Bautista, PAL president, who led a small PAL delegation that joined the delivery flight to Manila, said he was glad to be able to personally deliver the relief donations to the Philippines. “The airlift of relief goods is inherent to our mandate as the Philippines flag carrier. Earlier, we conducted a similar airlift of relief from local donors. I am sure these donations will go a long way in alleviating the plight of the victims and help in rebuilding their lives,” Bautista said.

The addition of the 777-300ER to the PAL fleet brings new twin-engine efficiency to the airline’s long-haul fleet. The airplanes are powered by General Electric GE90-115BLs, the world’s largest and most powerful commercial jet engine. The 777-300ER is well known for its cargo capacity — up to 7,120 cubic feet (201.6 cubic meters).

“The Boeing 777-300ER is a great choice for PAL, giving Asia’s first commercial airline the most efficient airplane in the 300-to-400 seat segment,” said Rob Laird, vice president of Sales for East and Southeast Asia Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “It provides the airline the flexibility to serve key markets worldwide while offering its passengers the highest levels of comfort and reliability.”

Philippine Airlines, the national flag carrier, conducted its first flight March 15, 1941, and has been operating longer than any other airline in Asia. PAL is a long-time Boeing customer and currently operates five Boeing 747-400s.

The Boeing 777-300ER is 19 percent lighter than its closest competitor, greatly reducing its fuel requirement. It produces 22 percent less carbon dioxide per seat and costs 20 percent less to operate per seat. The airplane can seat up to 365 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km). The 777 family is the world’s most successful twin-engine, twin-aisle airplane. Fifty-seven customers around the world have ordered more than 1,100 777s.

With this milestone in PAL’s history, PALv will be also officially launching the Boeing 777-300ER alongside the real thing on November 20, we will be launching the 777 on its initial route to Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney and Melbourne. Expect it to join our flight dispatch system shortly. We expect further 777’s to be added to our roster as they arrive, do note that it is speculated that PAL has deferred its main purchase order of 4x 777’s, whilst the GECAS leased 777’s will arrive as planned. This is understandable in the current economic storm in the Airline Industry.

RP-C7777 has launched flights to Hong Kong and Tokyo initially, available for our pilots to operate via the flight dispatch. We expect to introduce flights to Australia with RP-C7777 in the coming weeks. 

Flights PR300/301 (Manila to Hong kong) and PR432/431 (Manila to Tokyo) are currently available with RP-C7777. 

Download Links:

RP-C7777 repaint - Meljet 777-300ER (Freeware)

RP-C7777 repaint - Overland 777-300ER (Payware)

RP-C7773 repaint - PSS 777-300ER (Payware)

Until further repaints come out for the Boeing 777-300ER in Philippine Airlines colours, the above downloads are those available of good quality that  we have found so far. 

You may watch the Delivery flight of RP-C7777, and its takeoff for a new home based in Manila.

Philippine Airlines Virtual!

www.philippine-virtual.com