PAL Holdings, Inc. on Wednesday announced the appointment of British national and airline industry executive Richard Nuttall as the new president of flag carrier Philippine Airlines effective May 29.
In a statement, PAL said Nuttall's appointment signaled the airline's commitment to strengthen its leadership and "a bolder push in the international market."
Nuttall will directly report to PAL Chairman and CEO Lucio Tan and to Lucio Tan III, president and CEO of PAL Holdings.
"Philippine Airlines has always been committed to working with the best people across all levels, and I welcome Richard Nuttall as a worthy addition to an already formidable team. I am confident that he will create and develop sustainable growth for PAL," the elder Tan said.
Nuttall will be joining PAL following leadership stints in airlines across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, most recently as CEO of SriLankan Airlines, where he led a successful turnaround that saw the carrier return to operational profitability.
He has also served as an executive board member of the SkyTeam Alliance, where he helped reform its governance structure to accelerate decision-making and deepen airline collaboration.
Nuttall said, "I am honored to join Philippine Airlines at such a pivotal time. The airline has accomplished so much in recent years, and I look forward to building on that progress as we explore new avenues for growth."
He will succeed Stanley Ng, who has served as PAL president and chief operating officer (COO) since 2022.
Ng said: "I believe that under his leadership, we will sustain the momentum we've built over the past years."
PAL said Ng would take on new responsibilities within the group as vice president of PAL Holdings and as a member of the airline's board of directors, where he is expected "to provide strategic direction and oversight to bring the flag carrier to a new level of service and profitability."
Nuttall will be supported by Carlos Luis Fernandez, who will assume the role of executive vice president and COO starting May 29, 2025.
In 2024, the flag carrier reported a 51-percent drop in net income to $151.1 million (P10.22 billion) from $379 million (P21 billion) in 2023, due in part to slower revenues (down 4 percent year on year to $3.13 billion) and the hefty investments PAL made to upgrade its fleet.
This year, the airline expects to receive the first of nine Airbus A350-1000 aircraft that will serve its long-haul routes. It is also set to roll out its newly refurbished A321ceos with upgraded cabins before the year-end.
Beginning next year, it will take delivery of 13 brand-new A321neos to enhance its fleet.
PAL Holdings shares on Wednesday slipped by four centavos, or 0.87 percent, closing at P4.56 each.