PAL taps Collins Aerospace for locally-made cabin seats

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has tapped American aerospace products manufacturer Collins Aerospace to supply locally-made cabin seats for its aircraft.

The Board of Investments (BOI) led the first article inspection of Collins Aerospace’s cabin seat for PAL at its facility in Tanauan City, Batangas, on November 13.

First article inspection refers to a validation process for products if it conforms with agreed specifications.

PAL president Stanley Ng told GMA News Online that tapping Collins Aerospace for its locally-made cabin seats forms part of the flag carrier’s efforts to support local manufacturing.

“Not just promoting local products, but this partnership with Collins [Aerospace] also helps to create more jobs in the Philippines and showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of the Filipino people to the rest of the world,” Ng said.

In her remarks during the inspection, BOI’s Industry Development Services (IDS) Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa lauded the partnership between PAL and Collins Aerospace which highlighted the “trust in the skills and capabilities of the Filipino workforce.”

“What makes this occasion very special is that - it is none other than the country’s national flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, that will soon be flying with seating products proudly made in the Philippines,” said Halili-Dichosa.

Collins Aerospace currently has 3,000 employees in the Philippines. Its manufacturing site is located at the First Philippine Industrial Park in Tanauan City.—RF, GMA Integrated News