AirAsia Philippines is all in on Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s idea to increase flights to Visayas and Mindanao. The airline is keen on getting more airport slots, which are basically permits for takeoff and landing at airports. This comes as part of the 2024 Department of Transportation (DOTr) Budget Briefing where Senator Zubiri emphasized the need for more flights in the Philippines.
The Push for More Airport Slots
Senator Zubiri specifically called out AirAsia Philippines, saying the airline is expanding its fleet with support from Capital A. He said, “AirAsia is buying more planes and their problem is that they cannot use the planes because they have no slots.” The Senator is advocating for more flights, especially to places like Cagayan De Oro and Cebu. Steve Dailisan, AirAsia Country Head for Communications and Public Affairs, shared that more slots would let AirAsia grow its domestic market by 20% in 2024.
What More Slots Mean for AirAsia
Dailisan also mentioned that additional slots would help AirAsia restart flights to places like Zamboanga, Dumaguete, and General Santos City. It would also allow them to offer more frequent flights to Cagayan De Oro, a key gateway to Northern Mindanao. This would give AirAsia a better position to offer affordable airfares and travel deals.
Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista clarified how slots became available in the first place. During the pandemic, many flights got cut, freeing up slots. These went to airlines willing to operate at that time. Bautista assured that the DOTr, along with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), will consider giving available slots to AirAsia.
As of September 2023, AirAsia Philippines operated 312 weekly flights to 14 local destinations. They also maintain an impressive average load factor of 91% per flight. The airline is planning to bring in A321neo and A330 aircraft next year to accommodate more passengers, including Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). AirAsia also reminds passengers to arrive at NAIA Terminal 2 three hours before domestic flights and four hours before international flights at NAIA Terminal 3.
I’m just happy that AirAsia Philippines has the backing of the Senate on this.
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