CLARK FREEPORT—AirAsia-Philippines officials vowed to bring in 5 million passengers in the next five years, as its first-ever Airbus A320 arrived on Monday at the Clark international airport.
Photo courtesy of Business Mirror
A Philippine flag was hoisted by pilots as the Airbus A320 approached the tarmac after it touched down at about 11:30 am, with AirAsia-Philippines chief executive officer (CEO) Ma-an Hontiveros on board.
“Awesome [in riding the plane from France],” said Hontiveros shortly after her arrival at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) here. She led a small delegation that picked up the brand-new plane at the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France on Saturday.
Air Asia-Philippines vice president Michael Romero said the company has committed to bring in 5 million passengers and stationed at least 13 Airbus-made planes at its hub here. AirAsia-PHL is set to begin operations in October with its first plane enroute to Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong.
On the second plane, AirAsia will offer flights to Bangkok, Incheon in South Korea, Kalibo in Aklan and Puerto Princessa in Palawan.
Romero and AirAsia chairman Antonio Cojuangco Jr., welcomed Hontiveros who arrived with Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Mercedes Tuazon, members of the media, mechanics and engineers, four AirAsia pilots and check pilots from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
AirAsia-PHL expects to spend around $200 million to finance the lease purchase of four Airbus airplanes, said one of its owners yesterday.
Romero said one Airbus A320 costs around $50 million. “These are all lease purchases from a financing company under Airbus,” he told reporters.
Over the long-term, AirAsia plans to purchase 13 to 15 A320s, he added. “It will depend on how the market will respond. But that is the plan. Once we feel the market, plans to fly long-haul routes may happen because AirAsia fares are really cheap,” said Romero.
AirAsia will take delivery of another A320 later this year and another two in 2012.
Outgoing Tourism Sec. Albert Lim, Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president and chief executive Victor Jose Luciano, Clark Development Corp. president and CEO Felipe Antonio Remollo, Bases Conversion Development Authority president and CEO Arnel Casanova, Department of Tourism regional director Ronnie Tiotuico also welcomed the passengers of the 180-seater plane.
In her speech, Hontiveros said they vow to help in the development of the country with the AirAsia-Philippines’ operations.
“We offer cheap air fare but have high-quality service. Our planes are brand new,” said Hontiveros. She said they will hire about 300 workers in Air-Asia-PHL’s initial operations.
Hontiveros disclosed that they may offer flights to Tokyo, Japan from Clark, which is about 100 kilometers north of Metro Manila.
She noted that they decided to join the AirAsia Group because it was adjudged as top low-budget airlines in the world for three straight years since 2009.
AirAsia-Philippines is 60-percent owned in equal partnership by Hontiveros, Cojuangco and Romero and 40-percent by AirAsia Bhd. through wholly owned subsidiary AirAsia International Inc.
The Philippine company is the fourth member of the AirAsia Group.
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By: Joey Pavia with Lenie Lectura
Source: Business Mirror, Aug. 15, 2011
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