- Philippine Airlines has renewed and extended its long-term GE90 maintenance agreement with AFI KLM E&M, reinforcing a long-standing partnership in Asia-Pacific.
- The updated contract expands support across shop visits, predictive maintenance, spares, and on-wing services as the fleet moves into a mature phase.
- The collaboration also continues on the CFM56-5B, with dedicated local support for the airline’s A320 operations.
Photo: Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines has renewed and extended its long-term maintenance agreement with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) for its GE90 engines, reaffirming a partnership that has been in place for years and remains one of the more established GE90 support relationships in the Asia-Pacific region.
The amended contract was signed on March 25, 2026, at the airline’s headquarters in Manila.
As one of the early adopters of the GE90 engine in the region, Philippine Airlines continues to rely on AFI KLM E&M as it moves into the next phase of operating and maintaining its widebody fleet. The renewal reflects a continuation of that approach, with a focus on maintaining operational consistency as the engines and aircraft age.
Under the updated agreement, AFI KLM E&M will continue to provide long-term support across a broad scope of services. This includes shop visits, predictive maintenance solutions, spare engine and component support, on-wing services, and access to an engine line replaceable unit (LRU) pool. The structure of the contract has been adjusted to align with the requirements of a fleet that is no longer in its early operating years, with more emphasis on cost control, reliability, and maintenance planning.
In the current regional environment, where airlines are balancing operational performance with tighter cost discipline, the extension signals Philippine Airlines’ continued reliance on AFI KLM E&M’s technical capability and experience with the GE90 platform. The engine, developed by General Electric, has been a mainstay on long-haul Boeing 777 operations, and long-term support arrangements such as this typically form a central part of fleet planning for operators with mature assets.
The partnership between the two organisations also extends beyond the GE90. Support for the CFM56-5B engines remains in place, with AFI KLM E&M maintaining a dedicated on-wing services presence through a local “OWS Corner” to support Philippine Airlines’ Airbus A320 fleet. This localised capability is intended to reduce turnaround times and provide more immediate technical support at the point of operation.
Alvin Kendrich Limqueco, Senior Vice President – Chief Supply Chain Officer and Data Privacy Officer at Philippine Airlines, said the renewal is aimed at maintaining operational continuity as the fleet evolves. He noted that AFI KLM E&M’s familiarity with the airline’s operations and its ability to deliver consistent service played a role in extending the agreement.
Pierre Teboul, Senior Vice President Commercial at AFI KLM E&M, said continuing support for Philippine Airlines reflects the long-standing relationship between the two organisations. He added that the agreement demonstrates the company’s ability to adapt its maintenance solutions to the changing requirements of aircraft and engines that are further along in their lifecycle, while maintaining performance and reliability.
The extension keeps in place a support structure built around long-term engine maintenance planning, with a clear focus on sustaining operational reliability as the fleet matures.
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