Air Asia Philippines rationalizes operations

Opens Manila beginning June 15


June 13, 2013

Philippine Air Asia announced route rationalization last week as it reduces flights to Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore from Clark starting June 15.

The airline currently operates out of Clark and flies to Singapore, Taipei, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong with domestic flights to Davao and Kalibo using two Airbus A320 aircraft.

Air Asia said the reduction is part of its "operational realignment" as it transfer one aircraft to Manila to launch flights to Cagayan de Oro, Ho Chi Minh and Macau. 

The additional aircraft will also make a run to Cebu, Bacolod, Davao and Kuala Lumpur augmenting the operations of Zest Air fleet which desperately need more planes for expansion.

The airline said that all the Zest Air fleet will be painted soon with Air Asia colours starting with the Clark-based aircraft.

Affected flights include Kuala Lumpur which would be cut from 10 times a week to three, and would be mounted by Air Asia Malaysia.

Flights to and from Hong Kong would go down from 10 times a week to seven, while those to and from Singapore would be reduced from seven times a week to three, specifically every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Recently introduce flights to and from Taipei would be cut from seven times a week to four.

The airline said it would offer options to customers who already have bookings after June 15 "to alleviate the inconvenience caused."

Air Asia Philippines acquired 49 % of the voting rights and an 85 % economic interest in Zest Airways including the acquisition of 100 % of Asiawide Airways Inc. which transaction was sealed in May 10, where Alfredo Yao secures 13 % stake in Air Asia Philippines for $16 million US dollars.

Air Asia Philippines is 40 percent owned by Air Asia Berhad, through AA International. The remaining 60-percent is held by Filipino businessmen Maan Hontiveros, Michael Romero and Antonio Cojuangco.

1 comment:

  1. AirAsia Inc. Philippines is ending its domestic and international flights from Clark International Airport and is moving to Ninoy Aquino International Airport NAIA) Terminal 4 in Metro Manila effective October 8.

    The remaining Clark-Kalibo and Clark-Davao flights would end on Oct. 8 while Clark-Taipei and Clark-Hong Kong flights would end on Nov. 6.

    The Clark-Hong Kong flights would however resume on Dec. 20 in time for the Christmas season rush.

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