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Philippines AirAsia

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Philippines AirAsia
IATA ICAO Call sign
Z2 APG COOL RED
Founded16 December 2010; 14 years ago (2010-12-16)
(as AirAsia Philippines)
Commenced operations
  • 28 March 2012; 12 years ago (2012-03-28)
    (as AirAsia Philippines)
  • 6 December 2015; 9 years ago (2015-12-06)
    (as Philippines AirAsia)
AOC #2009003[1]
Operating bases
Frequent-flyer programBIG Loyalty Programme[2]
Fleet size15
Destinations29
Parent companyAA Com Travel Philippines Inc.[3]
HeadquartersPasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
Key peopleRicardo P. Isla (President & CEO)[4]
Websitewww.airasia.com

Philippines AirAsia, Inc. is a Philippine low-cost airline based at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay, Metro Manila.[5] The airline is the Philippine affiliate of the Malaysian AirAsia. The airline started as a joint venture among three Filipino investors and AirAsia Investments Ltd. (later AirAsia Aviation Limited), a subsidiary of AirAsia Berhad.

History

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An Airbus A320-200 operated by Philippines AirAsia in Puregold livery, on final approach at Taoyuan International Airport

AirAsia Philippines was formally launched on 16 December 2010.[6] On 15 August 2011, AirAsia Philippines took delivery of its first brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft.[7] The airline planned to start operations by 2011[6] but was delayed due to the long duration of processing the new requirements instituted in 2008.[8]

On 7 February 2012, the airline received its air operator's certificate (AOC).[8] The airline commenced operations on 28 March by launching flights from its base at Clark International Airport to Kalibo and Davao City.[9] It partnered with Victory Liner, one of the largest provincial bus companies operating in the Philippines, to provide free shuttle service for inbound and outbound passengers of Clark International Airport.[10] Within that year, in addition to its first two destinations, AirAsia Philippines launched flights to Puerto Princesa, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taipei.[11]

On 11 March 2013, an agreement was made between AirAsia Philippines to swap shares with Philippine-based airline Zest Airways.[12] Zest Airways received a mix of $16 million cash and a 13% share in AirAsia Philippines, while AirAsia Philippines now owns 85% of Zest Airways, with 49% of its voting rights. The deal closed on 10 May 2013, and Zest Airways was rebranded AirAsia Zest. The agreement also gave AirAsia Philippines access to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, allowing further growth of its route network.[13] By October 2013, AirAsia Philippines closed its Clark base to reduce further losses, and moved its operations to NAIA, initially at Terminal 4.[14] It later moved its international flights to Terminal 3 by 2014.[15] After two years of operating under separate brands, the two airlines merged to a single AOC in September 2015, with the AirAsia Zest brand being retired in December.[16]

It continued its domestic and international expansion; in March 2017, the airline launched flights to Caticlan — the closest airport to Boracay,[17] and reopened its Clark base.[18] In October 2017, it began flying to Iloilo — a destination once served by AirAsia Zest,[19] and started flying to Ho Chi Minh City in November.[20] The following year, it opened a base in Cagayan de Oro.[21]

On 1 July 2019, Philippines AirAsia launched its first flights to Japan, starting with Osaka.[22] On 27 October, it started flying to Bacolod — another former AirAsia Zest destination — and was one of the highlights of that year's MassKara Festival.[23]

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected Philippines AirAsia's business. Plans for Philippines AirAsia to debut in the Philippine Stock Exchange within 2020 was deferred in March, with the airline management deciding to focus on expanding its domestic operations after a government ban on China and South Korea in response to the worsening health situation threatened 30% of the airlines' revenue.[24] It also retrenched 624 employees due to the pandemic.[25] Flights to General Santos and Zamboanga City — which were originally set to launch in March — began in October.[26]

As travel restrictions eased in 2022, Philippines AirAsia started to rebuild its network by adding more flights, launching flights to Dumaguete and Roxas City,[27] and resuming most international flights starting 27 May 2022.[28] In February 2023, it launched daily flights to Tokyo,[29] and resumed flights to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Macau.[30] Amid a fleet shortage,[31] flights to General Santos ended in 2022, while flights to Dumaguete and Zamboanga ended in 2023.

On 1 July 2023, Philippines AirAsia transferred its domestic operations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport from the highly congested Terminal 4 to the larger Terminal 2. Although its international flights remained at Terminal 3,[32] it requested to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to transfer its international flights to Terminal 1 for operational efficiency. This was rejected by MIAA due to space limitations, given that flag carrier Philippine Airlines have predominantly occupied the terminal with no space for AirAsia to fit in.[31]

In 2024, Philippines AirAsia terminated all flights to China due to weak demand amid geopolitical tensions;[33] it opted instead to focus on destinations with high demand, like Japan.[34]

Corporate affairs

[edit]
Since 2023, Philippines AirAsia uses Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 as its domestic hub in Manila.

Philippines AirAsia is headquartered at the RedPoint office at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay, Metro Manila. RedPoint has been the airline's headquarters since October 2019; the airline was previously headquartered at the Salem Complex near NAIA Terminal 4.[35]

The airline is a joint venture between three Filipino businessmen and AirAsia. 60% of the airline is owned by Filipino investors Antonio O. Cojuangco, Jr., former owner of Associated Broadcasting Company and owner of Dream Satellite TV, Michael L. Romero, a real estate developer and port operator, and Marianne Hontiveros, a former music industry executive and TV host.[36] The remaining 40% is owned by AirAsia Investments Ltd. (later AirAsia Aviation Limited) of Malaysia.[6] The Public Service Act of the Philippines, prior to its amendment in 2022, only allowed a foreign direct investment of up to 40% in Philippine-registered airlines.[37]

In June 2019, Romero's F&S Holdings bought the shares owned by Alfredo Yao and Hontiveros, thus becoming the new majority shareholder in the company. Four months later, Romero acquired Cojuangco's shares, becoming the sole local owner (and parent company) of the airline.[3] In June 2023, F&S Holdings sold all of its shares to AA Com Travel Philippines for an undisclosed amount.[3]

Destinations

[edit]
Main article: List of AirAsia Group destinations

As of December 2024, Philippines AirAsia flies (or has flown) to the following destinations:

Country City Airport Notes Refs
China Chengdu Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Terminated
Guangzhou Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Terminated [33]
Hangzhou Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Terminated
Kunming Kunming Changshui International Airport Terminated
Shanghai Shanghai Pudong International Airport Terminated [33]
Shenzhen Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport Terminated [33]
Hong Kong Hong Kong Hong Kong International Airport
Indonesia Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport Terminated
Jakarta Soekarno–Hatta International Airport Terminated
Japan Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport Terminated [38]
Osaka Kansai International Airport [39]
Tokyo Narita International Airport [40]
Macau Macau Macau International Airport [30]
Malaysia Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur International Airport Resumes 30 March 2025 [41]
Philippines (Central Visayas) Cebu Mactan–Cebu International Airport [42]
Dumaguete Sibulan Airport Terminated [27]
Tagbilaran Bohol–Panglao International Airport
Philippines (Central Luzon) Clark Clark International Airport
Philippines (Davao Region) Davao Francisco Bangoy International Airport Ends 22 January 2025 [41]
Philippines (Eastern Visayas) Tacloban Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport
Philippines (Mimaropa) Puerto Princesa Puerto Princesa International Airport
Philippines (National Capital Region) Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport Base
Philippines (Northern Mindanao) Cagayan de Oro Laguindingan Airport
Philippines (Soccsksargen) General Santos General Santos International Airport Terminated [43]
Philippines (Western Visayas) Bacolod Bacolod–Silay Airport
Caticlan Godofredo P. Ramos Airport
Iloilo Iloilo International Airport
Kalibo Kalibo International Airport
Roxas Roxas Airport [27]
Philippines (Zamboanga Peninsula) Zamboanga Zamboanga International Airport Terminated [43]
Singapore Singapore Changi Airport Terminated
South Korea Busan Gimhae International Airport Terminated
Seoul Incheon International Airport
Taiwan Kaohsiung Kaohsiung International Airport [44]
Taipei Taoyuan International Airport
Thailand Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport
Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat International Airport Terminated [45]

Fleet

[edit]
An Airbus A320-200 at Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport

As of December 2024, Philippines AirAsia operates the following aircraft:[46]

Philippines AirAsia fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
Airbus A320-200 15 — 180 7 aircraft stored.[46]
Total 15 –

Sports teams

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "ACTIVE/CURRENT AOC HOLDERS" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Join BIG! AirAsia BIG Loyalty Programme". Archived from the original on 26 May 2008.
  3. ^ a b c Mercurio, Richmond (6 June 2023). "Romero family exits airline business". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  4. ^ Valdez, Denise A. (31 July 2019). "AirAsia PHL names new CEO". BusinessWorld.
  5. ^ "AirAsia launches Philippine joint venture | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  6. ^ a b c Rimando, Lala (16 December 2010). "Asia's largest budget airline, Filipino partners take on local industry". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  7. ^ Galang, Bernard (16 August 2011). "AirAsia first comm'l plane arrives at DMIA from France". People's Journal. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013.
  8. ^ a b "New kid on the block: AirAsia Philippines flying soon". Rappler. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  9. ^ Suarez, K. D. (28 March 2012). "Philippines' AirAsia finally takes off". Rappler. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  10. ^ Navales, Reynaldo G (8 April 2012). "Victory Liner, AirAsia provide free shuttle for Clark passengers". Sun.Star Pampanga. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  11. ^ Clark International Airport Corporation (n.d.). Annual Report 2012 (PDF) (Report). p. 4. Retrieved 21 November 2022 – via Clark International Airport Corporation.
  12. ^ Dumlao, Doris C. (11 March 2013). "AirAsia to acquire 40% of Zest Air". Inquirer Business. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  13. ^ "AirAsia now controls Zest Air". ABS-CBN News. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  14. ^ Rivera, Danessa O. (13 September 2013). "Airasia Philippines moves operations hub to NAIA-4". GMA News. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  15. ^ Agcaoili, Lawrence (11 September 2014). "AirAsia transfers 3 int'l flights to NAIA 3". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  16. ^ Simeon, Louise Maureen (27 September 2015). "Air Asia Zest brand to be phased out". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  17. ^ Buccat, Rhys (15 March 2017). "AirAsia launches its inaugural flights to Caticlan". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  18. ^ Dela Paz, Chrisee (28 March 2017). "From 2 jets to 70: AirAsia returns to its Clark roots". Rappler. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  19. ^ "AirAsia celebrates Iloilo-Manila inaugural flight". Iloilo Today. 1 October 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  20. ^ "AirAsia PH flies to Vietnam". Inquirer Business. 21 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  21. ^ Salcedo, Dirk Andrei (11 August 2018). "Philippines AirAsia to launch Cagayan de Oro hub". Aviation Updates Philippines.
  22. ^ Arayata, Ma. Cristina (30 March 2019). "AirAsia Philippines to launch Manila-Osaka route on July 1". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  23. ^ Guadalquiver, Nanette (28 October 2019). "AirAsia launches Manila-Bacolod flights". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  24. ^ Camus, Miguel (2 March 2020). "COVID-19 crisis puts AirAsia IPO plan on hold". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  25. ^ Arayata, Ma. Cristina (25 November 2021). "AirAsia PH to welcome back over 400 hibernating staff". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  26. ^ Cordero, Ted (28 October 2020). "AirAsia launches flights to Zamboanga, General Santos". GMA News. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  27. ^ a b c Piad, Tyrone Jasper (19 March 2022). "AirAsia adds more domestic flights as demand surges". Inquirer.net. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  28. ^ "AirAsia relaunches overseas routes with Kinabalu flight". PortCalls Asia. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  29. ^ "AirAsia launches Manila-Tokyo flights". PortCalls Asia. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  30. ^ a b "AirAsia Philippines set to resume flights to China". BusinessWorld. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  31. ^ a b Tabile, Justine Irish D. (3 July 2023). "MIAA studies moving foreign flights of AirAsia to Terminal 1". BusinessWorld. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  32. ^ "Domestic flights back at NAIA Terminal 2". CNN Philippines. 2 July 2023. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  33. ^ a b c d "Philippines AirAsia NW24 International Service Changes". Aeroroutes. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  34. ^ Cabuenas, Jon Viktor D. (9 September 2024). "AirAsia Philippines to halt Manila-China flights in Q4 2024". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  35. ^ "AirAsia unveils sprawling RedPoint office in the Philippines". AirAsia Newsroom. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  36. ^ "AirAsia insider: Marianne Hontiveros". Macroaxis. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  37. ^ Atienza, Kyle Aristophere T. (22 March 2022). "Duterte signs law allowing full foreign ownership in key sectors". BusinessWorld. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  38. ^ "Nagoyo! Tony Fernandes scraps new Philippine-Japan route shortly before anyone could fly after teasing P888 AirAsia fare just weeks ago". Bilyonaryo. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  39. ^ "Philippines AirAsia Resumes Osaka Service in Dec 2022". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  40. ^ "PHILIPPINES AIRASIA SCHEDULES TOKYO SERVICE FROM FEB 2023". AeroRoutes. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  41. ^ a b "Philippines AirAsia NW24 Service Changes – 10NOV24". Aeroroutes. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  42. ^ Padronia, Earl Kim; Lorenciana, Carlo (16 August 2022). "AirAsia reopens Cebu hub, eyes more flights from MCIA". SunStar. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  43. ^ a b Balinbin, Arjay L. (22 January 2020). "AirAsia set to fly to Zamboanga, General Santos and Dumaguete". BusinessWorld.
  44. ^ Vibal, Leana (9 December 2022). "This Low-Cost Airline Is Flying Direct to Kaohsiung in 2023". SPOT.ph. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  45. ^ Liu, Jim (23 January 2020). "Philippines AirAsia resumes Manila – Ho Chi Minh City service from late-March 2020". routesonline.com.
  46. ^ a b "AirAsia's Capital A Eyes 50 New Aircraft For Philippines | Aviation Week Network". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
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