Airphil expands routes via Clark

CEBU, Philippines - The active domestic business and tourism markets, including the fast movements of foreign visitors to explore the different tourism destinations in the country, Lucio Tan controlled Airphil Express announced the expansion of routes, making Clark International Airport as its hub.

Following the formalization of its partnership with Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), Airphil is opening four routes out of Clark going to Cebu, Davao, Kalibo and Puerto Princesa and vice versa.

In an interview with the airline’s chief executive officer (CEO) Peter Ong, he said the company is focusing on its domestic route expansion this year, pushing its way to lead in the low cost carrier (LCC) industry in the Philippines.

He said Airphil will introduce more additional routes originating from Clark Airport, including also its plan to open up international flights out of Clark going to popular destinations in Asia such as Singapore, Korea, among others.

Ong said out of Manila flights going to other destinations in the Philippines, is already saturated, thus the airline is now starting to open up hubs starting with Clark, Cebu, as well as other major business and tourism destinations in the country.

The recent move forms part of Airphil Express’ plans to expand further in 2012, and to steadily increase its market share in the burgeoning budget carrier industry, by tapping a strongly emerging tourist market in North and Central Luzon.

In 2011, Airphil Express reported servicing over four million passengers, a growth of 122 percent from 1.8 million passengers in 2010. This year, the budget carrier is targeting to double that figure to eight million.

“We are providing vital and convenient link between residents and visitors in the north to popular destinations in the south such as Boracay and Palawan,” said Alfred Herrera, Airphil Express senior vice president for sales and marketing, during the recent ceremonies sealing the agreement between CIAC and Airphil Express.— Ehda M. Dagooc

“The population in North and Central Luzon is estimated at around 18 million, which is virtually 25 percent of the entire Philippine population,” Herrera adding that the growing number of foreign tourists arriving in Clark Airport are also exploring the northern area of the country, and now conveniently travel directly to Visayas and Mindanao.

For the new Clark operations, Airphil Express will deploy Airbus A320 aircraft, which have a capacity of 180 passengers.

Early this year, the company acquired three Airbus A320 units, which can fly at longer flight distances with less fuel consumption.

This brings the total number of Airphil Express aircraft to 11 Airbus A320s, three Q300s and five Q400s.

The new routs would also kick off under the following flight schedules—Clark to Cebu route (vice verza) Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday; Clark to Davao route every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; Clark to Kalibo route every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday; and Clark to Puerto Princesa route every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Aside from operating in 32 local destinations throughout the country, Airphil Express also serves Manila-Singapore and Cebu-Hong Kong International routes. (FREEMAN)