Romero Sell AirAsia Philippines to Fernandes

5 June 2023

Philippine low cost carrier Philippines AirAsia (AirAsia) was formally sold to its parent company AirAsia Aviation Ltd. of Malaysia, controlled by business magnate Tony Fernandes for an undisclosed amount.

Philippines AirAsia (Z2), formerly known as Zest Air prior to merger with AirAsia Philippines (AAP), was controlled by F&S Holdings Inc., of Michael Romero, holding 60% share of the company, divided between Antonio Cojuanco (20%), Romero (20%) and Marianne Hontiveros (20%), while 40% was held by Capital A, formerly AirAsia Group, controlled by Malaysian magnate Tony Fernandes.

The 60% share was sold to Tony Fernandes controlled company AirAsia Com Travel (AA Com Travel Phils. Inc.), a subsidiary of AirAsia Aviation Ltd., holding company of Capital A, which owns the 40% equity share of PAA, making Tony Fernandes the sole owner of AirAsia in the Philippines.

The sale was approved by the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) this month after the Philippine government lifted restriction to foreign ownership of airlines under the new Public Service Act (RA 11659) approved by President Rodrigo Duterte in March 21, 2022. The law took effect beginning April 1, 2023.

AirAsia operates flight to and from Manila to Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, Iloilo, Tacloban, Kalibo, Caticlan, Cebu, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and Zamboanga. It also operates hub in Clark and Cebu using a fleet of 20 Airbus A320 aircraft as of June 1, 2023 for its domestic and international operations which includes flights to Bangkok, Singapore, Taipei, Osaka, Seoul, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Bali.

Tony Fernandes said he intends to grow the fleet to its Philippine branch to 30 Airbus A320 aircraft at the end of this year. He also proposes to introduce two (2) widebody A330 aircraft for its domestic and international operations in Cebu and Davao from its hub in Manila, as well as to international flights to Bangkok, Seoul, and Hong Kong for introduction next year.     

PAA To Fly Guam

16 August 2019

Low Cost Carrier Philippine AirAsia PAA) has sought permission from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to fly to the United States.

The airline requested for a designation and allocation of entitlements under the Philippines-United States of America Air Transport Agreement. It also asked the CAB to revoke the designation of Air Philippines as the official carrier to the US.

CAB Executive Director Camerlo Arcilla said the designation will allow PAA to fly to US territories.

“The allocation of entitlements to the US is not a problem because it’s unlimited, but the designation as official Philippine carrier is limited,” Arcilla said.

CAB disclosed that the number of airlines allowed to be designated as official carrier to the US was only three, prompting Air Asia Philippines to seek the the revocation of Air Philippines’ designation to the US.

Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific are currently designated as official Philippine carrier to the US, while United, Delta, and Hawaiian Airlines are the official Us carriers.

According to Arcilla Air Philippines was not utilizing its permit to fly to the US so Philippine AirAsia wants them given to them as they are ready to fly. Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines once flew Guam and Saipan on different occasion, with the former airline terminating its service on December 7 while the latter flew Saipan two years ago.

Cebu Pacific is pulling out the plug in Guam three years after it started, citing low traffic demand as the main cause.

PAA is applying flight entitlements to Guam and Saipan out of Manila international airport.

AirAsia To Make San Miguel Airport Home

Air Asia X Coming to Philippine Subsidiary

14 August 2019

Low-cost carrier AirAsia (PAA) intends to make its Philippine unit the biggest carrier as it makes plan to relocate to a new home in Bulacan.

AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Fernandes said they are planning to aggressively increase their market share in the Philippines to take advantage of the infrastructure ramp-up being made in the country.

The statement was made during AirAsia Asean Day celebrations in Bangkok last week.

“I just had a meeting and for this year the Philippines and Indonesia will be our two biggest growth stories and we will add as many as we can,” Fernandes said.

AirAsia currently holds an 18-percent market share in the country’s commercial aviation industry.

Fernandes said he is “proud” of and “amazed” by AirAsia Philippines’s growth, recounting that AirAsia had a “baptism of fire” while putting up their segment here in the country due to stringent competition with other budget airlines.

Asked how he is going to grow AirAsia to get a larger share of the pie in terms of flights and passengers, Fernandes replied, “Well, add more planes.”

He said they are on track to more than doubling their current fleet of 23 planes to 50 in three to four years’ time, with seven planes in the pipeline amounting to an investment of around $350 million.

AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricardo “Ricky” Isla said they are adding new planes in Cebu, Kalibo and Clark hubs as they are “determined” to increase AirAsia’s market share in the Philippines.

“The biggest addition will come from our Manila hub as we bring in the wide bodies.” says Isla

“The second quarter of this year was a record-breaking year of 2.2 million passengers, and that 2.2 million is something like a 25-percent growth from last year. That alone is an indication that we are really determined to get more market share,” Isla said.

“The moment we get all the slots in the airport we can accommodate more aircraft that will give us more destinations”, says Isla.

Right now, we can only add capacity but cannot add more flights in Manila because slots in NAIA are already full, so we need a new Manila airport that has plenty of open slots. We will surely increase our market share very, very soon,” he said.

Air Asia Expands Kalibo Hub Again

Opens Hangzhou, Chengdu, Kunming and Macau

11 January 2019

Low cost carrier AirAsia Philippines (AAP)is expanding its international hub in Kalibo as it introduces direct flights to Macau, Kunming and Chengdu in China from Kalibo International Airport beginning January 18.

The airline will operate Kalibo – Hangzhou starting Jan. 18 followed by Chengdu on the 24th, Kunming on the 25th and Macau on March 2. All the route will be flown by Airbus A320 aircraft.

Kalibo International Airport is one of the hub of Air Asia outside Manila says AirAsia CEo Dexter Comendador.

“We are the pioneers in Kalibo beginning with the Korean tourists, and now we open additional routes from China to "Boracay island," Comendador said.

“China is an important market for leisure and tourism and we are excited to bring them back to Boracay” Comendador adds.

Air Asia flies from Kalibo to Manila, Busan and Seoul, south Korea.

AirAsia Stops KUL-DVO

Flight Ends August 21

1 July 2018

Malaysia AirAsia Berhad is dropping its flights between Davao and Kuala Lumpur in August, less than a year after launching the service in December 2017.

In a statement, the budget carrier said it is suspending the four times weekly direct flight starting Aug. 21 due to “commercial reasons.”

The airline has been unable to generate revenue from operating this route resulting to its cancellation despite earlier proposal to reduce frequency to save the route.

To fly Clark-Taipei route on July 12
Its local subsidiary, AirAsia Philippines however is scheduled to offer thrice weekly flight services between Clark - Taipei on July 12.

PAA Expands To Indonesia

Eyes Thailand its next route

17 January 2018

Philippine AirAsia (PAA) has launched its first services to Indonesia earlier this year as it expands flight services to Jakarta on January 9. The daily flight will be flown by Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

The carrier is also scheduled to launch its Manila-Bali flights on January 19 on A320 aircraft.Daily flights from Manila to Bali will have a departure time of 6:40 p.m., and an arrival time of 10:25 p.m. Flights back to the Philippines leave Bali at 11:20 p.m.

Meanwhile, flights from Manila to Jakarta will have a departure time of 8:00 a.m, and an arrival time of 11:00 a.m. Flights back to the Philippines leave Jakarta at 11:30 a.m.

Dexter Comendador, CEO, AirAsia Philippines disclosed that AirAsia will also expand to more South-east Asian cities beyond Indonesia and Vietnam as it prepares its flight to Thailand to add to its growing international route network.

“After introducing Manila-Ho Chi Minh City last November and adding two Indonesian services, we plan to launch a new route to Thailand this year and continue expanding to more South-east Asian cities.” he said in a statement.

PAA,CEB World's Least Punctual Airline

11 January 2017

In its 2017 Annual Punctuality Report, the UK-based aviation analysts OAG highlighted the airlines and airports, both large and small, doing the most to keep your holiday on schedule and two of the Philippine-based carriers top the lists as one of the carriers that flies late most of the time.

Cebu Pacific Air (CEB)ranked seventh-least punctual in the world, with an On Time Performance (OTP) of 57.6 percent.

“On time,” as defined in the study, is a flight that arrives or departs no later than 15 minutes from the scheduled time.

Philippines AirAsia (PAA), meanwhile is ranked ninth, with a 58 percent OTP.

Least Punctual Airline Globally

10. Xiamen Airlines Company                         - 58.3%
9.  Philippines AirAsia Inc.                      - 58.0%
8.  Sunwing Airlines Inc.                                   - 57.9%
7.  Cebu Pacific Air                                      - 57.6%
6.  SATA International-Azores Airlines S.A. - 57.1%
5.  Indonesia AirAsia X                                      - 56.8%
4.  LACSA-Lineas Aereas Costarricenses       - 54.2%
3.  Shenzhen Airlines                                          - 53.5%
2.  AVIOR Airlines                                               - 53.1%
1.  Air Inuit                                                            - 44.6%

Congestion at either origin or destination airports has been blamed by these airlines for its low score, with Manila International Airport (NAIA) operating beyond capacity requiring airlines to expect delays.

Air Asia Opens First Flight To Davao From Kuala Lumpur

KUL-DVO Inaugural

6 January 2018

Malaysian Low Cost Carrier Air Asia Berhad (AXM) has flown its inaugural flight to Davao (AK590) on December 21 last week without much funfare arriving at 2:25pm from Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur.

The new route between Davao and Kuala Lumpur will operate four times weekly with 180 seater A320 aircraft. 

The route is the airlines third gateway from the Philippines to Malaysia after Manila, and Cebu after it discontinued connections to Kalibo this week.

Meanwhile, the airline's susidiary, AirAsia Philippines also connects guests to other cities in the Philippines including Clark, Manila, Caticlan, Kalibo, Tacloban, Palawan, Cebu and Tagbilaran.

Kuala Lumpur is Davao's second international point after Singapore.

PAA Unveils ASEAN

16 November 2017

Philippine Air Asia unveiled its newest aircraft with a new aircraft livery culminating the 50th anniversary of the formation of ASEA, with the 10-country economic bloc's culture as the main design theme.

The aircraft livery, dubbed "I Love Asean", showcased designs inspired by textiles, architecture, art and nature from all 10 Asean nations, namely batik cetak from Malaysia, poom khao bin from Thailand, ulos Batak from Indonesia, tapis from the Philippines, trong dong from Vietnam, kbach pka Chan from Cambodia, Lao phouthai from Laos, chate from Myanmar, jongsarat Brunei from Brunei, and Vanda Miss Joaquim from Singapore.

"We owe our success to Asean. As a truly Asean airline, we want to bring the people across the region closer together in line with the amazing work Asean has done over the past 50 years." AirAsia group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said.

Philippine Air Asia operates a fleet of 18 A320-200s flying domestic and regional destinations.

PAA Adds Iloilo

5 August 2017

Philippines Air Asia has announced that it will open Manila-Iloilo route beginning Oct. 1 this year.

The route will be operated thrice a day on Airbus A320 aircraft.

Other planned routes include Manila to Bacolod and Cagayan de Oro which will be announce by the airline soon.

Air Asia flies from Manila to Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban, Cebu, Tagbilaran, Caticlan, and Davao. It also operates hub in Kalibo, Cebu, and Puerto Princesa.

AirAsia Connects DVO-KUL

Flight Begins December 21

23 July 2017

Malaysia’s Low-cost airline, AirAsia Bhd (AirAsia) will introduce its latest route to Davao, Philippines from Kuala Lumpur, with four times weekly direct flights commencing Dec 21.

The new route marks the airlines' fourth direct route from Malaysia to the Philippines after Manila, Cebu and Kalibo.

“Next on the line is Puerto Princesa and Kota Kinabalu” AirAsia chief executive officer Anthony Francis “Tony” Fernandes said after announcing the airlines' latest route at the Fourth Davao Investment Conference 2017 in Davao City.

Fernandes said the launch of this new air connectivity came after his meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte who urged him to open a new flight from the Davao City to Malaysia during their meeting in Cambodia last May 2017 for the World Economic Forum on Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

the airline's Philippine subsidiary has launched new flights from Davao to Cebu, Palawan and Boracay, and enabled fly-thru via Cebu to international destinations such as Singapore, Taipei and Seoul.

Fernandes added that Davao will become an international hub of Air Asia in the future for direct flights to China, Japan and Korea and that Kuala Lumpur was just a start for something big.

AirAsia owns 40 per cent stake in AirAsia Philippines Inc, with the remaining 60 per cent shared between Filipinos investors. AirAsia Philippines offer nine destinations within the country including Clark, Manila, Caticlan, Kalibo (Boracay), Tacloban, Palawan (Puerto Princesa), Cebu, Tagbilaran and Davao.

Air Asia is the fourth carrier to offer international flights out of Davao.

Air Asia's Call of Duty

Generosity to Marawi Bound Troops

21 July 2017

An act of passengers generosity prompted the airline to provide Marawi-bound troops free baggage allowance and in-flight meals to soldiers on peace-keeping missions beginning Thursday after presenting their ID and mission order.

The dice that rolls the ball came from a Facebook post of a certain Inday Rakel which turned viral for sharing how AirAsia passengers helped three soldiers on their way to Marawi City and Cotabato with their excess luggage. The soldiers’ luggage was heavy because of their uniforms and other military paraphernalia.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Inday said she did not intend to criticize the airline or its employees.

“Siguro magagawan naman ng paraan ng AirAsia ang mga ganyang bagay. Nakakalungkot lang kasi tingnan, sila po yung lumalaban para sa kalayaan natin. A little treat naman lang sana para sa kanila,” she said.

"We recognize the incredible sacrifices of our military heroes and Bayanihan spirit among Filipinos," AirAsia CEO Capt. Dexter Comendador said Wednesday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has expressed gratitude on the airlines generosity for giving free baggage allowance up to 40 kilograms and in-flight meals to soldiers on peace-keeping missions.

PAA Opens Davao Hub

Expands Cebu Hub

17 February 2017

Philippine AirAsia (PAA) is introducing new hub out of Davao International Airport beginning April 22, 2017 as it flies to Caticlan and Puerto Princesa and re-introduce Davao-Cebu to its route network.

The airline will also open Cebu-Caticlan and Cebu-Puerto Princesa on the same date. Flight schedules shall become available after securing regulatory approvals.

Davao airport will be the airlines fifth hub. PAA operates hubs in Manila, Kalibo, Cebu, and Puerto Princesa.

AirAsia Returns To Clark

First To Fly, Second To Return

4 February 2017

Philippine AitAsia (PAA) is returning to Clark International Airport beginning March 27 this year.

The airline will fly to Clark this time from its Kalibo hub with three weekly flights says PAA chief executive Dexter Comendador said.

“We are thrilled to provide the much needed connectivity at affordable fares for travellers from Central and Northern Luzon,” he said.

PAA launched commercial flight operations at Clark making it its home base and the first airline to operate a hub at the said airport in 2012. It transferred its operations to Ninoy Aquino International Airport following strategic acquisition with Zest Airways in 2013.

The airline currently operates hub in Manila, Kalibo and Cebu for domestic points in Tacloban, Tagbilaran and Davao and international routes to Shanghai, Taipei, Seoul, Hong Kong, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Singapore with a fleet of 14 Airbus A320 aircraft. It is also flying regular chartered flights to some points in China.

Philippines Air Asia is Born

30 October 2015

The marriage of AirAsia Philippines (Air Asia, Incorporated), and AirAsia Zest (Zest Airways, Incorporated) has officially produced a baby named Philippines Air Asia Inc.,(PAA) as Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) approved its petition to operate as a single company with just a single certificate.

"We’re operating now as a wholly owned entity. The merger is important because it is costly for us to operate as two separate entities. I don't want a division between AirAsia Philippines and AirAsia Zest, so we made Philippines AirAsia," Chief Executive Officer Joy Caneba said in a press briefing yesterday.

Water salute for PAA as it expands to Tagbilaran Airport in Bohol

The new airline will be bigger than its Philippine parents with capitalization increase from P2 billion to P5 billion, that will be used to fund acquisition of five additional Airbus A320s scheduled for delivery next year.

PAA will boast a fleet back to 17 brand new A320-200 fleet by 2016 enabling it to compete better with domestic rivals Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air.

It earlier retired 3 A320's powered V2500 engines belonging to ZestAir that was let from other aircraft lessors to align local affiliates fleet with that of its Malaysian parent, AirAsia Berhad that operates the CFM56s engines.

The airline earlier operated a combined fleet of 20 aircraft before huge losses prompted it to reduce fleet to the current 12.

According to Caneba they are expecting to hit about four million passengers this year, or the same figure posted in 2014, due to the reduction of its fleet size.

PAA has been cutting unprofitable routes and redeploying capacity into more promising international markets, particularly China.

PAA's new strategy posted a better than expected recovery performance after the turnaround plans were initiated in July 2014 and is expected by its parent company AirAsia Berhad to break even by the end of the year.



The company said it will delay public listing for two years but will proceed with a $200-million initial public offering by 2018.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier issued a certificate approving the name Philippines AirAsia, with "doing business under the name and style of the AirAsia Berhad" when
AirAsia Philippines secured consent to acquire the remaining 51% stake in AirAsia Zest held by AMY Holdings of Alfredo M. Yao in February this year. The complete buyout marks exit of Yao from the airline business, and allowing AirAsia Philippines to own the entire carrier.

Caneba said route expansion is destined towards China, Korea and Taiwan as it also aims to strengthen its foothold in Kalibo where it is the biggest international airline.

PAA flies daily to Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Kota Kinabalu, Macau, Busan, Shanghai, Beijing, and Hangzhou, and serves domestic points in Cebu, Davao, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, and Tacloban. It recently expanded operation to Tagbilaran.

PAL, CEB To Fly Moscow

24 August 2015

Legacy carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Low Cost Carrier Cebu Pacifi c(CEB) has filed with the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) permission to fly Russia following the signing of the recent Air Services Agreement (ASA) between the two countries in July 23, 2015 terms of which remained confidential.

Philippine Airlines applied for Manila to Moscow flights, vice-versa, five times a week using Airbus A330-300, three times a week frequencies on the city pair between Manila and Khabarovsk, vice-versa also three times a week, and and four times a week frequencies on the city pair between Cebu and Khabarovsk using narrow bodied aircraft.

PAL has been promoting Russian tourist travel to the Philippines by operating charter flights in Manila-Vladivostok, vice-versa and Kalibo-Khabarovsk, vice-versa flights over the last two years and hopes to develop this market more by flying regular flights all year long.

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific applied for Manila to Moscow flights, vice-versa, three times a week using Airbus A330-300, and Manila to Vladivostok, vice-versa also three times a week using narrow bodied aircraft.

New flights to these destinations would be effected beginning the winter season when approved.

Transaero B747-400 in Mactan Cebu International Airport

In a separate filing, Zest Airways Inc. (AirAsia Zest) also applied for Kalibo to Vladivostok, vice-versa four times a week.

Based on the records of Department of Tourism (DOT), arrivals from the Russian market grew 25.2 percent in 2013, logging 35,404 arrivals from the 28,270 recorded in 2012. In 2014, some 40,000 Russians visited the country, according to DOT data.

They are also the biggest spenders. Russians each spend $1,000 on average for every visit to the Philippines.


The Philippine government has already extended 21-day visa free travel policy for Russians to 30 days to lure more Russians to enjoy the beaches more in Cebu, Bohol, Boracay and Palawan.

“We are confident that the new arrangements will help us meet our targets for Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS),” Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said.

The CIS includes Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.

Aeroflot and Transaero also has applied with Russian authorities for flights to Manila from Moscow.  Flight frequencies were not disclosed up to this time says CAB.

CAB said Russian airlines Transaero and S7 has been doing regular charter flights to Mactan-Cebu from Khabarovsk for the last two years.

AirAsia Overshots Kalibo

30 December 2014

AirAsia flight EZD 272 carrying 153 passengers and six crew members from Manila to Kalibo overshot the Runway 23 of  Kalibo Airport at 5:43 p.m. No injury is reported.                   copyright © 2014 Jet Damazo-Santos @jetdsantos

An AirAsia Zest A320-200 plane ( RP-C8972) carrying 159 people overshot the runway and got stuck in a muddy field Tuesday at an international airport in the central Philippines after landing from Manila in windy weather, officials said. There were no reports of injuries.

Crew members launched emergency slides to help passengers disembark from the Airbus A320-200 after it skidded off the runway in the resort town of Kalibo in Aklan province before nightfall, Giovanni Hontomin, who is in charge of AirAsia Zest's operations, said by phone.

Initial reports indicated that three of the plane's tires got stuck in the mud, said Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines spokesman Eric Apolonio. He said the busy airport would be closed to air traffic until the stalled aircraft, which likely sustained some damage, is towed away from near the runway's end.

A tropical storm has set off landslides and flash floods in the southern and central Philippines, leaving at least 31 people dead and seven missing, officials said Tuesday.

Kalibo town, 350 kilometers (217 miles) south of Manila, is a busy gateway to the Boracay beach resort, a popular tourist destination.

The accident came after an AirAsia plane crashed into the Java Sea on Sunday during a flight from Indonesia to Singapore with 162 people on board. Bloated bodies and debris were seen floating in Indonesian waters Tuesday.

It also came two days after another incident involving an AirAsia Zest plane. On Sunday, a jet operated by the carrier developed a tire problem in the central Philippine city of Tagbilaran while its 184 passengers and crew were boarding, prompting the airline to cancel the flight to Manila, officials said.

The Airbus A320 aircraft's tire was later fixed, allowing it to resume its flight to the Philippine capital Monday morning. No reason was given for the problem.

Budget carrier AirAsia Zest is partly owned by AirAsia Philippines. AP

Air Asia Paints Manny Pacquiao Plane

24 November 2014

Air Asia Philippines will soon be flying the "Manny Pacquiao" livery on one of its A320 aircraft after Air Asia secured deals with the boxing icon as its main product endorser and official airline. 

AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes said he and his company is honored to be chosen as Pacquiao’s official airline. 

“Congressman Manny’s story is an inspiration not only for Filipinos but to all of us who dared to dream the seemingly impossible. AirAsia’s commitment in the Philippines is anchored on the same dream, to make flying more affordable, more accessible and to provide the best quality service that every Filipino deserves,” Fernandes said. 

The Manny Pacquiao livery will first fly to General Santos next year.

Air Asia To Expand Philippine Affiliate

Will Invest $500 Million More

13 November 2014

After contracting operations in the Philippines due to heavy losses, Malaysia’s AirAsia Berhad is now ready to throw in more money in its fledgling affiliates as it consolidates Zest Air and Air Asia into one big airline Zest Air Asia which is awaiting congressional consolidation approval, its airline CEO said.

“We’ve put in $100 million already in cash terms, excluding the planes. And we are committing another $500 million once we get the franchise approval. That’s over a period of three to four years,” AirAsia founder Tony Fernandes said.

“As soon as we get the franchise, we should be able to get 15 aircraft. Then I hope we can add about five aircraft a year,” he adds.

Air Asia was forced to grow its capital base and reduced its Philippine operations by 30% as compared last year after registering consecutive losses since its inception. As of the first half of 2014 it continued to operate at a loss of $14 million.

Fernandes is however bullish of the airline subsidiary operating flatly in 2014 and registering profit by 1st half of next year as it put more air time to its existing A320 fleet.

AirAsia Philippines and AirAsia Zest currently operating as AirAsia Zest has 15 Airbus A320-200s operating out of Manila, Cebu and Kalibo. It has since abandoned its fabled hub at Clark International Airport due to poor passenger traffic.

Fernandes said that they cannot secure more flights to Korea and Japan without the regulatory issues in the Philippines resolved. The fleet would at least double once the group gets the go-ahead to consolidate domestic operations, Fernandes said.

Air Asia Barking Up Wrong Tree

Be Careful What You Wish For!

13 August 2014

AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer Tony Fernandes got a dose of his own medicine when he criticized Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) in the Philippines for not letting them used Terminal 3 of NAIA.

"I don't think AirAsia is being treated fairly," Fernandes told ABS-CBN news in Kuala Lumpur during the launch of AirAsia's newest service, the Premium Flex.

Air Asia subsidiary in the Philippines operate at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 4.

Fernandez argued that they were being discriminated in Manila as if they are being "blocked" from growing in the country.

But MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado got the facts straight at him when he said that Air Asia being at Terminal 4 was the airlines decision and not of the Authority. 

Southeast Asia Airlines also opted to stay at Terminal 4 he said.

Honrado explained that Air Asia doesn't have a prime slots in Manila's Airport until they bought up Zest Air of Alfredo Yao which in turn provided them the slots.

"Maybe he should know that it was the former Zest Air who asked MIAA to allow them to continue to operate at Terminal 4 when they were offered Terminal 3 before," Honrado said.

A slot is a landing right granted by the airport authority to land and pick up passengers and cargo at the airport, usually at specific time frame. A busy airport has a coordinated landing slots to improve airport efficiency. 

Landing slot at NAIA is coordinated by Airport Coordination Philippines, an affiliate company of Airport Coordination Australia which coordinates arrival and departure time.

"The Airport authority does not have a say in airport slotting as they are handled by another company. If all the slots are full, you can't do anything about that other than buy those airline company that owns them" says Honrado.  

The manager said that Zest Air only has few slots in Manila and Air Asia cannot have more than what has been granted to Zest Air.

"A spring cannot rise from its source," says the manager."He should have bought Seair as well when they have the chance to get more slots in Manila"

 "I suggest he focus his attention in ensuring safe flight operations and sound financial management," Honrado adds, suggesting the numerous infractions his airline have with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAP).

CAAP suspended Zest Air last year due to various safety violations, and is again being investigated for flying a defective plane in disregard of passenger safety rules.

The manager also suggested Fernandez to go back to Clark International Airport where slotting is never a problem.

"The airline has big plans in the past for the Philippines, yet left the very airport that does not have problem with slotting."