Flight starts Nov.1
July 22, 2010
Airphilippines Express is flying to Surigao by November. The Cebu-Surigao-Cebu flight begins on November 1, 2010. Meanwhile, a second daily Q400 flight for Manila will also commence operation on the same date.
It will leave Cebu for Surigao at 9:20 a.m. and arrive at 10:20 a.m. with a return flight expected at 10:40 and arrival at 11:40 a.m. The second daily Manila flight will fly in the afternoon for Surigao at 1:30 p.m. and arrive at 3:10 p.m. Its return flight to Manila is scheduled at 3:30 p.m. with arrivals at 5:10 p.m.
Airphil Express intend to double its market share with the arrival of five more airbus A320 to their fleet, with one joining in September and two others in October and November.
The merged airline, formerly Air Philippines and PAL Express, added new flights by re-introducing Cebu, and Davao yesterday July 21 in an effort to consolidate its market position.
“Cebu and Davao is vital to our development if we are to grow as a respected budget airline" says Maria Rodriguez Java, the airline's head for Marketing, Product and Media.
"We will increase the number of frequencies for Cebu and Davao later on as we are expecting more aircraft to join our fleet this year,” adds Java.
Airphil Express will fly daily from Manila to Cebu at 9 p.m. and Cebu to Manila at 10:40 p.m. An additional two flights will be opened on Oct. 1 and another one starting Oct. 28.
The airline will also start flying to Legaspi and Tagbilaran in October and Zamboanga by November. Meanwhile, new domestic flights are being planned for General Santos, Tacloban and Dipolog. Flights to Dumaguete, Pagadian, and Butuan are also being considered.
"The new routes are being evaluated right now. There are just too many unserved markets like Pagadian for example. We need to be where the people need us,” she added.
International flight from Manila to Singapore will start operating this year and Cebu to Singapore by next year. Also on the planning stages for next year are flights for Manila to Hong Kong, Seoul, and Japan, while Kalibo-Incheon is also being considered.
The airline currently operates a fleet of 2 airbus A320's, 5 Bombardier Q400' and 3 Q300's planes that flies to 24 domestic destinations from its Manila and Cebu hubs. They are currently on the fourth spot after Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Zest Airways.
With its re-branding in March and aggressive no-frills campaign, Philippine Airlines’ low-cost unit intends to at least double its market share at present 8 percent by the end of the year.
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