Reconfigured jet to fly Pope.

A reconfigured Airbus A300 aircraft of Philippine Airlines (PAL) will fly Pope Francis to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea today at the close of His Holiness' four-day pastoral and state visit to the Philippines.

Senior officials of Philippine Airlines led by Chairman Dr. Lucio Tan and President Ramon S. Ang and the charterers, PMFTC, Inc. will join the Pontiff on the flight that will take about four hours and 42 minutes. Papua New Guinea is the second stop in the Holy Father's Asian tour this year.

After farewell ceremonies at the Old Manila International Airport, the Plane enblazoned with the exultation: “Totus Tuus!” takes off at around 10:00 A.M.

The flight will be commanded by Captain Johnny Andrews. The pilot-in-command is Captain Alfredo Juliano who assisted by Captain Oliver Castro, First Officers Ruben Matro and Servando Bocao and flight engineers Danny Hallare and Manuelito Respaldon. Inflight service will be provided two sets of cabin crew numbering 22 led-by pursers Angelito Tiras and John Inopea.

The rest of the crew are assistant flight purser Aurora Bautista, stewards Wesley Calfoforo, Salvador Cacho, Joseph Torral, Rafael Torralba, Aurora Ponce-Enrile, Susan del Carmen, Jesulta de Leon, Stella Frias, Elsie Escutin, Hermie Cagalingan, Cristina Padilla, Lourdes Ledesma, Ysabel Costas, Evangeline Gatmaitan, Margarita Manzano, Cynthia Rosales and Service Manager Augusto Barrios.

As reconfigured, the Aircraft is fitted with special seats, a sleeperette, and a dedicated lavatory to suit the requirements of the Holy Father during the flight to Port Moresby, located some 2,161 nautical miles south of Manila.

During the deceased pope John Paul 2's visit in February 1981, PAL flew the Pontiff to several key cities in the country: including Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, Baguio and Subic.