Philippine carrier hits turbulence

Philippine Airlines may be forced to ground its fleet permanently if it cannot boost its pilot ranks by October.

Twenty-five pilots resigned abruptly last month, seeking employment elsewhere.

They say bad work conditions and worsening labour disputes led to their en-masse resignation.

International regulations stipulate that pilots cannot fly more than 1,000 hours a year. By October, most Philippine Airlines pilots would have reached their limits.

Marga Ortigas reports from Manila, the Philippine capital, on the 70-year-old company that was deeply affected by the global economic crisis and had to cut costs.