AirAsia, ZestAir launch rebranded airline

MANILA, Philippines - Sister firms AirAsia Inc. Phillippines and Zest Airways Inc. have launched a rebranded airline known as “AirAsia Zest” less than a year after the two airlines announced their strategic alliance.

Although the rebranded airline has yet to be formally announced, ZestAir in its website carried an image of an aircraft featuring AirAsia’s signature red livery and the Zest title on the body and AirAsia’s signature red livery on the tail.

The rebranded airline has a new theme; “AirAsia Zest, the right way to fly.”

ZestAir has a fleet of 12 Airbus aircraft while AirAsia Philippines which started operations at the Clark International Airport in the first quarter of last year operates two Airbus aircraft.

On the sidelines of the 1st Aviation Safety and Good Corporate Governance Symposium last Aug. 30, AirAsia Philippines president Marianne Hontiveros said that the rebranded airline arising from the strategic partnership entered into by AirAsia Philippines and ZestAir would be launched either in September or October.

No less than AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tony Fernandes said in his Twitter account @tonyfernandes last Sept. 13 that AirAsia Philippines was moving to the NAIA4 in Manila after winding down its domestic and international flights in Pampanga.

“AirAsia Philippines is moving to Manila. More choice more value. The world’s best low cost airline going to NAIA. Clark routes will be temporarily suspended. We will be going back to Clark,” Fernandes tweeted.