Sunlight Air landing new, bigger aircraft

MANILA, Philippines — Boutique carrier Sunlight Air is welcoming a new and larger turboprop to its fleet as it gears up to finish strong in what is turning out to be a record year.

Sunlight CEO Ryna Brito-Garcia confirmed to The STAR that the airline would be landing a new ATR 72-600, which can seat more guests compared to its current fleet of turboprops.

“It (new aircraft) is still a turboprop, but it is a 72-600 which is an upgrade to our current fleet,” she said.

Sunlight operates a fleet of three 72-500s, the generation of turboprop before 72-600. The 72-500 can carry around 70 passengers, while the 72-600 can carry as many as 78, making it more cost-efficient for the airline.

Further, ATR markets the 72-600 as the most fuel-efficient aircraft for regional flights. The 72-600 is 45-percent cheaper to fly than competitors, leading to savings of as much as $2 million yearly.

Aircraft broker Paramount Business Jets said buying a new 72-600 would cost $26 million, while purchasing a pre-owned unit requires $17.85 million.

For Sunlight, adding a new aircraft will boost its chances of reaching a record high this year, as it is already performing better even with just its current fleet.

Based on records from the Civil Aeronautics Board, Sunlight flew 96,728 passengers in the first half, already covering 69 percent of its last year’s total of 134,627.

Sunlight, owned by millennial CEO Brito-Garcia, is also looking into the possibility of adding a jetliner to its fleet. Currently, Sunlight operates bases in Manila, Cebu and Clark, and the carrier flies to island destinations like Busuanga, Caticlan, Cagayan de Oro and Siargao.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is launching Cebu flights to Calbayog by Oct. 26. The service will operate four times weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

PAL is also increasing the frequency of its Cebu connections to island destinations Busuanga and Siargao to thrice daily each in response to the demand.

The carrier is also raising the weekly schedule of its Cebu flights to Bacolod, Butuan, Cotabato, Ozamiz and Tacloban to serve travelers during the holiday season.