PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) is optimistic about business opportunities for the year ahead despite potential global headwinds.

"The Philippine Airlines Group is optimistic about the long-term growth prospects for the Philippine aviation sector and the national economy," PAL spokesman Cielo Villaluna said on Monday.

"While we are aware of potential economic headwinds in global markets, we remain focused on growing our route network and our fleet progressively to meet market demand and support the tourism industry," she added.

Villaluna noted that both PAL and PAL Express were committed to improving passenger service and operational efficiency via digital transformation in existing hubs in Manila, Cebu and Davao.

"We are beefing up recruitment of pilots, cabin crew and customer care staff to support the arrival of additional aircraft, including the long-range Airbus A350-1000s joining our fleet next year," she added.

"As always, we will work closely with government authorities and industry partners so that we can better serve Filipino travelers and citizens from the various countries in our global network."

PAL recorded a net income of $348 million (P19.2 billion) in the first nine months of the year, compared to $133 million (P7.2 billion) in 2022.

Operating income increased to $444 million (P24.6 billion) from $212 million (P 11.5 billion).

The airline carried 11 million passengers from only 6.4 million a year earlier.

For the third quarter alone, PAL carried four million passengers, up 54 percent from 2.6 million.

On Monday, PAL's parent firm PAL Holdings Inc.'s share price rose by 3 centavos to P5.38.

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