Philippine Air says no changes to aircraft orders

MANILA Jan 15 (Reuters) - Philippine Airlines Inc (PAL) (PAL.PS) said on Tuesday it would not alter aircraft orders from Boeing (BA.N) and Airbus (EAD.PA) despite recent flight restrictions on the Philippines imposed by U.S. aviation authorities.

"We are committed to take delivery of these planes and pay for these airplanes," Jaime Bautista, PAL president, told Reuters.

PAL is due to take delivery of five A320 jets this year and six new Boeing 777-300ER jets beginning in 2009.

The airline planned to use the Airbus jets to raise its flight frequencies to Guam, Saipan and Palau. PAL wants to fly to Guam daily from just five flights per week now.

PAL's orders of new Boeing 777-300ER jets were meant for its planned expansion of flight routes to the U.S. mainland. The airline currently flies just two routes to the continental United States -- San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has downgraded the country to category 2 from category 1 after inspections showed the Philippine Air Transportation Office (ATO) did not meet global safety standards.

As the only Philippine carrier flying to the United States, the downgrade means PAL cannot increase its flights to U.S. territories from the current 33 per week, as against an unlimited frequency under category 1.

Bautista said the restriction meant the airline would have to delay planned increases and expansion in flight frequencies to various U.S. routes until the ATO rectifies its deficiencies.

"It's not our making, but we are the ones most affected because of the deficiencies of the ATO," Bautista said, adding that he hopes local air transport authorities could comply with international standards within the year and fast track the return to unlimited air access to the United States. (Reporting by Rosemarie Francisco; Editing by Kim Coghill)