AirAsia Philippines set for 20-plane boost

Budget air carrier AirAsia Philippines is looking to ramp up domestic and international connectivity with the addition of at least 20 new aircraft over the next five years, as part of a major fleet expansion by its parent company.

AirAsia Deputy Group CEO for Airline Operations Chester Voo said Wednesday the group is finalizing a major order of 150 jets, with an official announcement expected within two to three weeks. 

While Voo did not name the aircraft manufacturer, he emphasized the company’s focus on cost-efficiency and operational performance to boost operational capacity.

“The strategy of the group is this: to have aircraft that can fly at the best cost. So, newer generation aircraft will save about 30 percent of operational costs, including fuel burn. So newer aircraft with better maintenance plans make perfect sense,” Voo said.

In the Philippines, AirAsia plans to grow its fleet from 15 to 21 aircraft by 2025. From 2026 onward, the carrier expects to add two to four jets per year, reaching 20 additional planes by 2030.

"So, over five years, you're looking at 20 aircraft growth — if we build the right capacity with everyone's support. That includes the government, the airport authorities, and the civil aviation authority. It’s a partnership,” he said.

The planned purchase follows AirAsia’s recent $12.25-billion deal with Airbus for 50 A321XLRs, a long-range variant aimed at enabling new services from the Philippines to the Pacific Islands and the US West Coast.