Airphil Express to launch Cebu-HK flight July 28

MANILA, Philippines -  Airphil Express, the country’s fastest growing budget carrier, will launch its Cebu-Hong Kong inaugural flight on July 28 with flights leaving Cebu at 7 a.m. and departs Hong Kong for Cebu at 10:30 a.m. daily.

 It is also scheduled to operate charter flights from Shanghai and Canton (China) twice weekly to Kalibo upon acquiring its permit from the aviation body next month.

 Freddy Herrera, the carrier’s senior VP- marketing and sales and spokesman, said the country’s leading budget airline has chosen Hong Kong and China because of its potential for growth.

 Herrera said the delivery of four Airbuses last year had allowed AirPhilexpress to expand its flight offerings in the domestic and regional routes. The carrier is set to acquire 18 more aircraft until 2013 to support the route expansion.

 Four of the 18 Airbus 320s arrive last year, while six more A320 aircraft will join the fleet this year, five in 2012 and another three in 2013.

 “As we build up our fleet, we want to fly our planes and it is but fair to have as much access to this market. We want to stimulate the market , you make them want to fly and by offering low fares”.

 He said the carrier is doing aircraft turnaround in 20 minutes for turbo prop aircraft and 30 minutes for A320’s.

“You fly domestic during daytime because not all airports in the country have night landing facilities and fly regional at night in order to maximize the aircraft utilization,” he added.