The Philippine House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill renewing Philippine Airlines’ legislative franchise for another 50 years, moving the flag carrier closer to long-term operating certainty in Manila. House Bill No. 10545 was passed by voice vote and would extend PAL’s authority beyond its current 2028 expiry, keeping its franchise in place until 2076 if it becomes law.
Negros Occidental Representative Jeffrey Ferrer sponsored the measure in plenary. The bill forms part of a broader effort to give PAL a longer regulatory runway for fleet modernisation, route expansion and capacity planning across domestic and international services.
The proposed franchise also includes limits on transfer without congressional approval and provisions for temporary government takeover in emergencies, with compensation. The House vote is an important legislative step, but the measure still needs to clear the remaining stages before it can take effect.