PAL taps British aviation expert as new president

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is set to name British aviation veteran Richard Nuttall as its new president, industry sources told The STAR.

The move marks the first time in PAL’s 84-year history that it will put a foreigner at its helm, similar to what rival airline Cebu Pacific did in 2022 when it designated Mike Szucs, its chief executive adviser, as CEO.

Nuttall, who has held top and key positions in airlines including Sri Lankan Airlines, Bahrain Air, Royal Jordanian Airlines and Cathay Pacific, has expertise in airline growth and strategy development.

According to Asian Aviation, “Nuttall has a wealth of industry experience spanning three decades and five continents, having held multiple chief officer and board positions in aviation companies across the globe.”

His appointment comes at a time when PAL, like most airlines across the globe, is navigating a challenging aviation landscape marked by rising fuel cost and supply chain issues.

PAL, which has the largest international operations to and from the Philippines, also wants to strengthen its foothold in the global market given the growing competition, sources said.

He will succeed Capt. Stanley Ng, PAL’s president and COO since January 2022, who steered the airline in the post-COVID-19 era.

PAL Holdings, the parent company of PAL, is led by its president and COO Lucio Tan III.

In 2024, PAL recorded its fourth consecutive year of profitable operations with a net income of P10.2 billion, although this marked a 51 percent decline from its record-high net income of P21 billion in 2023.

Revenues generated last year dipped by four percent to P179.67 billion from P180.73 billion in 2023 as passenger revenues declined by six percent year-on-year.

According to PAL, it carried 15.6 million passengers in 2024, up by six percent year-on-year as it mounted a total of 110,867 flights systemwide.

Republic Act 11659, An Act Amending Commonwealth Act 146, otherwise known as the Public Service Act, signed in 2022, redefined what constitutes a public service company and removed foreign equity restrictions on companies including airlines, clearing the way for the appointment of foreigners in top positions.