Philippine Airlines (PAL) has appointed Richard Nuttall as its new President, effective May 29, 2025. Nuttall, a British national, brings years of experience from leading airlines in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia. He takes over the position previously held by Captain Stanley Ng and will work directly under Dr. Lucio C. Tan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, along with Lucio C. Tan III, President and Chief Operating Officer of PAL Holdings Inc.
As PAL prepares for more international growth, this leadership change forms a key part of its broader plan to strengthen operations. Nuttall most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines. During his time there, he led efforts that brought the airline back to profitability and helped support Sri Lanka’s tourism growth.
Experience from global carriers and strategic alliances
In his earlier roles, Nuttall also served as a board member of the SkyTeam Alliance. In that capacity, he worked on reforming the group’s internal structure to improve airline cooperation and decision-making. His background in leading change and expanding airline networks aligns with PAL’s international focus.
“Philippine Airlines has always been committed to working with the best people across all levels, and I welcome Richard Nuttall as a worthy addition to an already formidable team. I am confident that he will create and develop sustainable growth for PAL,” said Dr. Lucio C. Tan.
“Appointing Richard Nuttall to Philippine Airlines is an important part of our medium-term and long-term strategy of building a robust management team and growing our business internationally. As President, he will play an active role in bringing a global dimension to the Heart of the Filipino, and I look forward to working closely with him in the days and months ahead,” said Lucio Tan III.
Ng will now move into new roles within the company. He will become Vice President of PAL Holdings Inc. and serve on the airline’s Board of Directors. In both positions, he will help shape the company’s future direction and support its long-term plans.
“I warmly welcome Mr. Nuttall to the PAL Group. I believe that under his leadership, we will sustain the momentum we’ve built over the past years. Now, I’m ready to take on this new role with renewed focus and commitment,” said Ng.
Next chapter for PAL’s long-term growth strategy
To support Nuttall, PAL has also announced that Carlos Luis Fernandez will serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer starting on May 29, 2025. The new executive team will help guide PAL through its next phase of development.
“I am honored to join Philippine Airlines at such a pivotal time. The airline has accomplished so much in recent years, and I look forward to building on that progress as we explore new avenues for growth,” said Nuttall.
Philippine Airlines expects to continue its growth with new aircraft and upgraded cabins. The airline will receive nine Airbus A350-1000s starting this year, which will operate its long-haul routes. It is also set to launch refurbished A321ceos and will begin receiving 13 brand-new A321neos from 2026.
The airline reported a net income of PHP10.01 billion in 2024, following record earnings of PHP21 billion in 2023. This steady performance supports its plans to maintain growth and expand global services.
With a new leadership structure, Philippine Airlines is preparing for the future. Its clear direction focuses on long-term growth, fleet development, and service reliability across global markets.
