The Top 10 Philippine Aviation Photographs of 2014

It was a historic year in Philippine aviation and Philippine Flight Network is pleased to share it through the lens of our resident aviation photographer, Angelo Agcamaran of the Philippine Plane Spotters Group. Here are some of the highlights of 2014 as captured through Angelo's aviation photography:

a330-300 cebu pacific
Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG
1. Cebu Pacific Airbus A330-300 (RP-C3341)

This is Angelo's best shot in 2014 of Cebu Pacific's "Big Juan." Cebu Pacific finished the year with a fleet of five wide-body Airbus A330-300. The aircraft are being used to expand Cebu Pacific's new long-haul network, which now stretches to Dubai, Kuwait, Riyadh, Dammam, and Sydney. Stay tuned for the "Big Juan" to land in Honolulu in 2015.

b777 philippine airlines
Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG
2. Philippine Airlines Boeing 777-300ER (RP-C7775)

It was an equally important year for Philippine Airlines' Boeing 777 wide-body fleet, which became the airline's flagship aircraft following the retirement of the Boeing 747 fleet. In addition, PAL was granted approval in 2014 to use the Boeing 777 fleet on routes serving the United States. Here is a fantastic angle of a Boeing 777 captured by Angelo as it takes off for London's Heathrow Airport.

747-400 philippine airlines
Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG
3. Philippine Airlines Boeing 747-400 (RP-C7472)

This was a year filled with mixed emotions as Philippine Airlines finally retired its Boeing 747 fleet in 2014. Replacing the Queen of the Skies with the more modern and efficient Boeing 777 aircraft enabled Philippine Airlines to save money on fuel and maintenance costs. But that doesn't make it any easier to say goodbye to an aircraft that played such an important role in bringing Filipinos back home for the last 35 years. This photograph captured by Angelo marks the beginning of the 747 retirement as the aircraft registered RP-C7472 takes off on its storage flight to Clark.

747-400 combi
Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG

4. EVA Air  Boeing 747-400 (B-16409)

This is a unique perspective captured by Angelo of an EVA Air Boeing 747-400 Combi landing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Sadly, 2014 marks the last year that EVA Air will be operating the 747 to Manila. Like Philippine Airlines and many other carriers around the world, EVA Air is retiring its Boeing 747 fleet in favour of more fuel efficient aircraft. The last EVA Air 747 flight to Manila is scheduled for January 4, 2015. After that, Manila will be served by EVA Air's Airbus A330-200 fleet.

a340 philippine airlines
Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG

5. Philippine Airlines Airbus A340-300 (RP-C3432)

Here is Angelo's final shot of one of the classic Philippine Airlines A340-300 aircraft. The original aircraft that Philippine Airlines ordered were retired in 2014 as part of an effort to shift to a more fuel efficient fleet. But the A340-300 is still flying in the PAL fleet at least on a temporary basis until a new order for long-haul aircraft can be placed. However, the A340 aircraft currently in the fleet are newer ex-Iberia aircraft on lease from Airbus. The aircraft will be used on Philippine Airlines' maiden service to New York John F. Kennedy Airport in March 2015.

a330 philippine airlines
Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG

6. Philippine Airlines Airbus A330-300 (RP-C3337)

This is Angelo's final shot of the classic Philippine Airlines A330-300. Like the original PAL A340 fleet, all of the classic A330-300 aircraft were retired from service in 2014 as part of a measure to bring in a fleet of modern, fuel efficient aircraft. Unlike the new PAL A330 fleet, the classic A330 fleet boasted a 2-4-2 configuration and mainscreen in-flight entertainment.

787 ana
Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG

7. All Nippon Airways Boeing 787-8 (JA815A)

Here is Angelo's first shot of the ANA 787 Dreamliner aircraft. All Nippon Airways was the launch customer for the Boeing 787. ANA was one of the first airlines to introduce the aircraft on service to Manila in 2014. Although Royal Brunei's Boeing 787 made a temporary appearance in Manila, All Nippon Airways is the first airline to operate the 787 to Manila on a semi-regular year-round basis.

a380-800 emirates
Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG
8. Emirates Airbus A380-800 (A6-EEY)

Angelo was one of the lucky guests that had the privilege of being present for the arrival of the Airbus A380-800's first commercial flight to Manila in 2014. He even had the pleasure of meeting the aircraft's Filipino Captain, Franklyn Desiderio. The arrival of the Emirates A380 was to celebrate the transfer of the carrier from NAIA Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. In addition, it served as a test flight to determine if the airport could adequately service the aircraft. Unfortunately, the Manila International Airport Authority does not presently believe that the airport is capable of handling such a high volume of passengers with each A380 arrival and departure.

boeing 787-8
Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG
9. Japan Airlines Boeing 787-8 (JA823J)

In the words of Angelo, "Dreamliner + Rain = Dream Arrival." It was indeed a dream for Angelo to capture one of the rare arrivals of a Japan Airlines Boeing 787-8 aircraft on a flight from Tokyo to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The JAL 787 made its first appearance at NAIA in 2014 and is slowly becoming a more regular visitor. Manila seems to be gaining popularity as a 787 route.

a330 pal
Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG
10. Philippine Airlines Airbus A330-300 (RP-C8762)

Although plane spotting in the rain might not seem like fun, it does have its advantages as captured by Angelo in this photo of a Philippine Airlines A330-300 landing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Take a look at the exciting activity around the engines when the thrust reversers are applied in the rain.

On behalf of Angelo Agcamaran of the Philippine Plane Spotters Group and the entire Philippine Flight Network team, we wish all of our readers and supporters a very Happy New Year. Best wishes to everyone in 2015!

10 comments:

  1. Numbers 6 and 10 are called A-300 and not A330. Please review your homework of not misleading your readers, or even contact Airbus France for clarification. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol, maybe you're the one who needs to review your homework. LMFAO x999999

      Delete
    2. The 1st comment above clearly shows he doesn't know the difference between A300 and A330 aircrafts. You need to update yourself bro.

      Delete
  2. Pic number 6 is Philippine Airlines A330-301 using GE engines. Pic number 10 is still a Philippine Airlines Airbus A330 series 343 powered by Rolls royce trent 700 engines. And you can see the stretched fuselage and winglets only specific to the a330 and a340. I know my planes. Avgeek here.
    And by the way PAL has long retired their A300 B4s. What are those then reincarnated jeta from the Greenwood scrapyard? You are brilliant Einstein. Studying eh? Who ya kidding. Yer a joke.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks like the first commenter needs do his homework. Lol

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  4. ANA has replaced the 787 with 767 since Nov 2014.

    ReplyDelete
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