Philippines AirAsia

Philippines AirAsia, Inc.
Philippines AirAsia Airbus A320 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila
IATA ICAO Call sign
Z2 APG COOL RED
FoundedDecember 16, 2010 (2010-12-16)
(as AirAsia Philippines)
Commenced operations
  • March 28, 2012 (2012-03-28)
    (as AirAsia Philippines)
  • December 6, 2015 (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 peopleCapt. Suresh Bangah (President & General Manager)
Websitewww.airasia.com

Philippines AirAsia is a Philippine low-cost airline based at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay, Metro Manila.[4] 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

An Airbus A320-200 operated by Philippines AirAsia in Puregold livery in 2017

AirAsia Philippines was formally launched on December 16, 2010.[5] On August 15, 2011, AirAsia Philippines took delivery of its first brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft.[6] The airline planned to start operations by 2011[5] but was delayed due to the long duration of processing the new requirements instituted in 2008.[7]

On February 7, 2012, the airline received its air operator's certificate (AOC).[7] The airline commenced operations on March 28 by launching flights from its base at Clark International Airport to Kalibo and Davao City.[8] 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.[9] Within that year, in addition to its first two destinations, AirAsia Philippines launched flights to Puerto Princesa, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taipei.[10]

On March 11, 2013, an agreement was made between AirAsia Philippines to swap shares with Philippine-based airline Zest Airways.[11] 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 May 10, 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.[12] By October 2013, AirAsia Philippines closed its Clark base to reduce further losses, and moved its operations to NAIA, initially at Terminal 4.[13] It later moved its international flights to Terminal 3 by 2014.[14] 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.[15]

It continued its domestic and international expansion; in March 2017, the airline launched flights to Caticlan — the closest airport to Boracay,[16] and reopened its Clark base.[17] In October 2017, it began flying to Iloilo — a destination once served by AirAsia Zest,[18] and started flying to Ho Chi Minh City in November.[19] The following year, it opened a base in Cagayan de Oro.[20]

On July 1, 2019, Philippines AirAsia launched its first flights to Japan, starting with Osaka.[21] On October 27, it started flying to Bacolod — another former AirAsia Zest destination — and was one of the highlights of that year's MassKara Festival.[22]

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected Philippines AirAsia's business. Plans for Philippines AirAsia to debut in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) 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.[23] It also retrenched 624 employees due to the pandemic.[24] Flights to General Santos and Zamboanga City — which were originally set to launch in March — began in October.[25]

As travel restrictions eased in 2022, Philippines AirAsia started to rebuild its network by adding more flights, launching flights to Dumaguete and Roxas City,[26] and resuming most international flights starting May 27, 2022.[27] In February 2023, it launched daily flights to Tokyo,[28] and resumed flights to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Macau.[29] Amid a fleet shortage,[30] flights to General Santos ended in 2022, while flights to Dumaguete and Zamboanga ended in 2023.

On July 1, 2023, Philippines AirAsia transferred its domestic operations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from the highly congested Terminal 4 to the larger Terminal 2. Although its international flights remained at Terminal 3,[31] 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 had predominantly occupied the terminal with little space for AirAsia to fit in.[30]

In 2024, Philippines AirAsia terminated all flights to mainland China due to weak demand amid geopolitical tensions.[32] On October 18, 2024, the airline suspended its inter-island flights out of Cebu, effectively closing its hub at Mactan–Cebu International Airport.[33] It attempted to launch flights to Nagoya in the same month, but were cancelled due to operational circumstances.[34] After nearly thirteen years, on January 22, 2025, Philippines AirAsia ended flights to Davao City due to competitive pricing; it plans to reassign its aircraft to its top-performing destinations instead, like Bohol, Boracay, Palawan, and Tacloban.[35]

In March 2025, Philippines AirAsia revisited its plans to debut in the PSE, while announcing its fleet expansion.[36]

On September 23, 2025, Philippines AirAsia relaunched its Cebu hub, with flights beginning on November 15.[37]

On March 29, 2026, the airline transferred its international operations at NAIA from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 as part of a terminal optimization program by the airport's operator, the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), to alleviate congestion and enhance passenger flow.[38]

Corporate affairs

Since 2023, Philippines AirAsia has used 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 the former site of NAIA Terminal 4.[39]

The airline began as a joint venture between three Filipino businessmen and AirAsia. Sixty percent 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.[40] The remaining 40% is owned by AirAsia Investments Ltd. (later AirAsia Aviation Limited) of Malaysia.[5] 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.[41]

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, consolidating ownership under AirAsia.[3]

Destinations

As of December 2025, 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 [42]
Hangzhou Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Terminated
Kunming Kunming Changshui International Airport Terminated
Shanghai Shanghai Pudong International Airport Terminated [42]
Shenzhen Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport Terminated [42]
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 [34]
Osaka Kansai International Airport Terminated [43]
Tokyo Narita International Airport [44]
Macau Macau Macau International Airport [29]
Malaysia Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur International Airport [45][37]
Philippines (Central Visayas) Cebu Mactan–Cebu International Airport Base [37]
Dumaguete Sibulan Airport Terminated [26]
Tagbilaran Bohol–Panglao International Airport
Philippines (Central Luzon) Clark Clark International Airport
Philippines (Davao Region) Davao Francisco Bangoy International Airport [35][37]
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 [46]
Philippines (Western Visayas) Bacolod Bacolod–Silay Airport
Caticlan Godofredo P. Ramos Airport
Iloilo Iloilo International Airport
Kalibo Kalibo International Airport
Roxas Roxas Airport [26]
Philippines (Zamboanga Peninsula) Zamboanga Zamboanga International Airport Terminated [46]
Singapore Singapore Changi Airport Terminated
South Korea Busan Gimhae International Airport Terminated
Seoul Incheon International Airport
Taiwan Kaohsiung Kaohsiung International Airport [47]
Taipei Taoyuan International Airport
Thailand Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport
Vietnam Da Nang Da Nang International Airport [48]
Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport
Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat International Airport Terminated [49]

Fleet

An Airbus A320-200

As of April 2026, Philippines AirAsia operates the following aircraft:[50]

Philippines AirAsia fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
Airbus A320-200 15 — 180 10 aircraft stored.[50]
Airbus A321neo — 4 236 Deliveries to commence in 2025.[36]
Total 15 4

Sports teams

  • AirAsia Philippine Patriots (ASEAN Basketball League, 2010–2012)
  • AirAsia Flying Spikers (Philippine Super Liga, 2014)

See also

References

  1. ^ "List of Active Air Operator Certificate (AOC) Holders as of 16 March 2023" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  2. ^ "Join BIG! AirAsia BIG Loyalty Programme". Archived from the original on May 26, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c Mercurio, Richmond (June 6, 2023). "Romero family exits airline business". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  4. ^ "AirAsia launches Philippine joint venture". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on December 17, 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c Rimando, Lala (December 16, 2010). "Asia's largest budget airline, Filipino partners take on local industry". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  6. ^ Galang, Bernard (August 16, 2011). "AirAsia first comm'l plane arrives at DMIA from France". People's Journal.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. ^ a b "New kid on the block: AirAsia Philippines flying soon". Rappler. February 7, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  8. ^ Suarez, K. D. (March 28, 2012). "Philippines' AirAsia finally takes off". Rappler. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  9. ^ Navales, Reynaldo G (April 8, 2012). "Victory Liner, AirAsia provide free shuttle for Clark passengers". Sun.Star Pampanga. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  10. ^ Annual Report 2012 (PDF). Clark International Airport Corporation (Report). n.d. p. 4. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  11. ^ Dumlao, Doris C. (March 11, 2013). "AirAsia to acquire 40% of Zest Air". Inquirer Business. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  12. ^ "AirAsia now controls Zest Air". ABS-CBN News. May 24, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  13. ^ Rivera, Danessa O. (September 13, 2013). "Airasia Philippines moves operations hub to NAIA-4". GMA News. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  14. ^ Agcaoili, Lawrence (September 11, 2014). "AirAsia transfers 3 int'l flights to NAIA 3". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  15. ^ Simeon, Louise Maureen (September 27, 2015). "Air Asia Zest brand to be phased out". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  16. ^ Buccat, Rhys (March 15, 2017). "AirAsia launches its inaugural flights to Caticlan". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  17. ^ Dela Paz, Chrisee (March 28, 2017). "From 2 jets to 70: AirAsia returns to its Clark roots". Rappler. Archived from the original on November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  18. ^ "AirAsia celebrates Iloilo-Manila inaugural flight". Iloilo Today. October 1, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  19. ^ "AirAsia PH flies to Vietnam". Inquirer Business. September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  20. ^ Salcedo, Dirk Andrei (August 11, 2018). "Philippines AirAsia to launch Cagayan de Oro hub". Aviation Updates Philippines.
  21. ^ Arayata, Ma. Cristina (March 30, 2019). "AirAsia Philippines to launch Manila-Osaka route on July 1". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  22. ^ Guadalquiver, Nanette (October 28, 2019). "AirAsia launches Manila-Bacolod flights". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  23. ^ Camus, Miguel (March 2, 2020). "COVID-19 crisis puts AirAsia IPO plan on hold". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  24. ^ Arayata, Ma. Cristina (November 25, 2021). "AirAsia PH to welcome back over 400 hibernating staff". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  25. ^ Cordero, Ted (October 28, 2020). "AirAsia launches flights to Zamboanga, General Santos". GMA News. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  26. ^ a b c Piad, Tyrone Jasper (March 19, 2022). "AirAsia adds more domestic flights as demand surges". Inquirer.net. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  27. ^ "AirAsia relaunches overseas routes with Kinabalu flight". PortCalls Asia. May 31, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  28. ^ "AirAsia launches Manila-Tokyo flights". PortCalls Asia. February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  29. ^ a b "AirAsia Philippines set to resume flights to China". BusinessWorld. February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  30. ^ a b Tabile, Justine Irish D. (July 3, 2023). "MIAA studies moving foreign flights of AirAsia to Terminal 1". BusinessWorld. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  31. ^ "Domestic flights back at NAIA Terminal 2". CNN Philippines. July 2, 2023. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  32. ^ Cabuenas, Jon Viktor D. (September 9, 2024). "AirAsia Philippines to halt Manila-China flights in Q4 2024". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  33. ^ "Lance Gokongwei to the rescue! Cebu Pacific offers P1,000 tickets to stranded AirAsia travelers after penny-pinching Tony Fernandes cancels routes". Bilyonaryo. October 18, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  34. ^ a b "Nagoyo! Tony Fernandes scraps new Philippine-Japan route shortly before anyone could fly after teasing P888 AirAsia fare just weeks ago". Bilyonaryo. October 20, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  35. ^ a b Rosales, Elijah Felice (January 30, 2025). "AirAsia suspends Manila-Davao flights". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  36. ^ a b Salcedo, Dirk Andrei (March 12, 2025). "AirAsia plans major PH expansion with fleet growth and potential stock listing". Aviation Updates Philippines. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  37. ^ a b c d Ford, Marvin (September 25, 2025). "AirAsia Philippines Launches Cebu Hub". Aviation Updates Philippines. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  38. ^ "AirAsia moves int'l flights to NAIA Terminal 1". Bilyonaryo. March 29, 2026. Archived from the original on March 29, 2026. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  39. ^ "AirAsia unveils sprawling RedPoint office in the Philippines". AirAsia Newsroom. October 9, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  40. ^ "AirAsia insider: Marianne Hontiveros". Macroaxis. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  41. ^ Atienza, Kyle Aristophere T. (March 22, 2022). "Duterte signs law allowing full foreign ownership in key sectors". BusinessWorld. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  42. ^ a b c "Philippines AirAsia NW24 International Service Changes". Aeroroutes. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  43. ^ "Philippines AirAsia Resumes Osaka Service in Dec 2022". Aeroroutes. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  44. ^ "PHILIPPINES AIRASIA SCHEDULES TOKYO SERVICE FROM FEB 2023". AeroRoutes. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  45. ^ "Philippines AirAsia NW24 Service Changes – 10NOV24". Aeroroutes. November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  46. ^ a b Balinbin, Arjay L. (January 22, 2020). "AirAsia set to fly to Zamboanga, General Santos and Dumaguete". BusinessWorld.
  47. ^ Vibal, Leana (December 9, 2022). "This Low-Cost Airline Is Flying Direct to Kaohsiung in 2023". SPOT.ph. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  48. ^ "Philippines AirAsia to commence services from Manila to Da Nang and Hanoi in Mar-2026". Centre for Aviation. December 30, 2025. Archived from the original on January 2, 2026. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  49. ^ Liu, Jim (January 23, 2020). "Philippines AirAsia resumes Manila – Ho Chi Minh City service from late-March 2020". routesonline.com.
  50. ^ a b "AirAsia's Capital A Eyes 50 New Aircraft For Philippines". Aviation Week Network. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  • Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to Philippines AirAsia at Wikimedia Commons
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.