Manila's dominant air carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said Monday it would purchase two more Boeing 777-300 aircraft in addition to the two units already on order last year.

"Philippine Airlines (PAL) has increased its planned Boeing 777-300 fleet to a total of six aircraft – four on firm order and two on lease – by exercising its purchase rights on two aircraft that were part of the original order last year," PAL said in a statement.

PAL is also leasing two B777-300s according to an agreement reached with Boeing in October 2006. The deliveries of the planes are scheduled to start in the third quarters of 2009 until 2011, the airline said.

"Our future fleet of B77-300s will allow PAL to enhance its passenger services to the United States, while providing superior efficiency in our operations," PAL President Jaime Bautista said.

The acquisition of the B777-200, PAL's first new wide-body aircraft in 12 years, followed an upgrading of its single-aisle fleet that started in September 2006.

PAL had ordered 20 new Airbus A320 jets, and six of them are already in service, while four more are arriving this year, the airline said in a statement.

Also, hilippine Airlines has completed the full implementation of electronic ticketing service for all of its flights. It did so seven months ahead of the deadline set by the International Air Transport Association of December 31 this year.

"E-ticketing is a major step towards building a comprehensive electronic commerce system in PAL-a strategic investment that we expect will yield long-term benefits," Bautista said.

PAL, Asia's oldest airline, briefly shut down in 1998 due to huge debts, heavy losses and labor disputes. It resumed operations after entering into a 10-year rehabilitation program.