Monday 5th September, 2011(Source: Manila Bulletin)
MANILA, Philippines — AirAsia Bhd’s Philippine unit ’s (AirAsia Philippines) may start flights to Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau by the end of next month once it gets regulatory approval and will acquire its second Airbus A320 by November, its Chief Executive Officer Marianne Hontiveros told Bloomberg News.
AirAsia Philippines targets to bolster its fleet to seven planes by the end of 2012 and up to 16 jets in five years, Hontiveros said in an interview in Xiamen. It may use the second Airbus to start flights to Bangkok and Incheon, the CEO said. Hontiveros was part of Philippine President Benigno Aquino’s delegation in his five-day state visit to China.
Last August 15, AirAsia Philippines’ first aircraft arrived at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark today. The brand new, state-of-the-art Airbus A320 commanded by Captain Johansen Hernandez carried 29 people.
Ms. Hontiveros said, “This is a proud moment for AirAsia Philippines as the arrival of the new aircraft signifies our first step in introducing ourselves to the nation. As an archipelagic country, air travel is necessary for Filipinos and we are here to serve and help them stay or be better connected with their families and friends.
“The Philippines has great potential in tourism, as our country has so much to offer. With AirAsia Philippines, we hope to increase the number of tourist arrivals. This is good for the community in Clark as well as Nothern and Central Luzon as they can benefit in various areas including hospitality, retail and entertainment.”
The aircraft came from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, is the first among four aircraft that will be delivered to AirAsia Philippines in its first year of operation. While it taxied on the runaway upon arrival, it was greeted with a water cannon salute. The second one is slated to arrive later this year and another two will be delivered in 2012.
Currently, AirAsia Philippines is still awaiting official approval to start flying commercially. The airline plans to use the first aircraft to fly to Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong, and the second one to ply routes to Bangkok (Thailand), Incheon (South Korea), Kalibo (near Boracay, Philippines) and Puerto Princesa (Palawan, Philippines).
The AirAsia Philippinest is 60% owned in equal partnership by Filipino entrepreneurs Marianne Hontiveros, Antonio Cojuangco Jr. and Michael Romero, and 40% owned by AirAsia Berhad through its wholly-owned subsidiary AirAsia International Inc.
AirAsia Philippines is the fourth member of AirAsia Group, which now includes AirAsia Berhad (also known as AirAsia Malaysia), AirAsia Thailand and AirAsia Indonesia.