THE Board of Investments (BOI) joined the First Article Inspection of main cabin seats produced by Collins Aerospace for Philippine Airlines (PAL), marking the first time that the national carrier will equip its planes with locally-made seating.
BOI, in a statement on Friday, said PAL president and chief operating officer Capt. Stanley K. Ng called the partnership with Collins a “historic moment” for the flag carrier.
“We are proud to support Philippine-made products, and with this collaboration, our passengers will soon experience the workmanship, quality, and comfort of seats manufactured right here in the Philippines. It’s a step forward not only for PAL but for the entire aviation industry in the country,” Ng said.
Mary Destaffan, general manager of Collins Aerospace’s Philippines, said the partnership with PAL is a significant milestone for Collins Aerospace, as “it marks the first time that our locally manufactured seating products will be used by the Philippine flag carrier. We are excited to continue growing our presence in the Philippines and contributing to the country’s position as a leading aerospace manufacturing hub.”
The inspection was held on November 13,
The Collins Aerospace facility, located in the First Philippine Industrial Park in Batangas, began operations in 2012. It manufactures lavatories, cabin galleys, galley inserts, and seating products, which are used by major airlines globally, including Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
As one of Collins’ largest international facilities, the Batangas site employs over 3,500 Filipino workers in both engineering and production roles.
In March 2024, the facility delivered its first shipment of Meridian® main cabin seats to Airbus, enhancing passenger comfort with ergonomic design, increased living space, and in-seat storage. Its production capacity is set to triple by the end of 2024, supporting a range of customers for both new and retrofit projects.
The Batangas facility, now fully powered by renewable energy, is part of Collins’ broader sustainability efforts. As one of over 20 RTX Corporation sites sourcing 100 percent of its electricity from renewable resources, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 25,000 metric tons annually.
Collins Aerospace, a division of RTX Corporation, is a leader in integrated and intelligent aerospace solutions. Its innovations drive sustainable aviation, passenger safety, mission success, and space exploration.
