Budiey
Airasia Philippines Welcomes First Aircraft
CLARK, 15 AUGUST 2011 – AirAsia Philippines’ first aircraft arrived at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark today. The brand new, state-of-the-art Airbus A320 commanded by Captain Johansen Hernandez carried 29 people, including Marianne Hontiveros, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Philippines; H.E. Mercedes Tuason, Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican; several Filipino media; as well as an all-Filipino crew.
Ms. Hontiveros said, “This is a proud moment for AirAsia Philippines as the arrival of the new aircraft signifies our first step in introducing ourselves to the nation. As an archipelagic country, air travel is necessary for Filipinos and we are here to serve and help them stay or be better connected with their families and friends.
“The Philippines has great potential in tourism, as our country has so much to offer. With AirAsia Philippines, we hope to increase the number of tourist arrivals. This is good for the community in Clark as well as Northern and Central Luzon as they can benefit in various areas including hospitality, retail and entertainment.”
The aircraft, which landed at 11.30 a.m. from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, is the first among four aircraft that will be delivered to AirAsia Philippines in its first year of operation. While it taxied on the runway upon arrival, it was greeted with a water cannon salute. The second one is slated to arrive later this year and another two will be delivered in 2012.
Among those on ground to witness the special event were Victor Jose I. Luciano, president and CEO of Clark International Airport Corporation; Felipe Antonio Remollo, president and CEO of Clark Development Corporation; and Hon. Alberto Lim, Secretary of the Department of Tourism.
Currently, AirAsia Philippines is awaiting official approval to start flying commercially. The airline plans to use the first aircraft to fly to Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong, and the second one to ply routes to Bangkok (Thailand), Incheon (South Korea), Kalibo (near Boracay, Philippines) and Puerto Princesa (Palawan, Philippines).
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About AirAsia Philippines
The establishment of AirAsia Inc. (AirAsia Philippines) was announced in December 2010. It is 60% owned in equal partnership by Filipino entrepreneurs Marianne Hontiveros, Antonio Cojuangco Jr. and Michael Romero, and 40% owned by AirAsia Berhad through its wholly-owned subsidiary AirAsia International Inc.
AirAsia Philippines is the fourth member of AirAsia Group, which now includes AirAsia Berhad (also known as AirAsia Malaysia), AirAsia Thailand and AirAsia Indonesia. The airline is headed by its chief executive officer, Marianne Hontiveros.
AirAsia Philippines received its first aircraft, a brand new Airbus A320 aircraft, on 15 August 2011 and is awaiting approval of its application for an AOC. It plans to fly to destinations including Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Bangkok, Kalibo and Puerto Princesa, to name a few.
About AirAsia
AirAsia Group, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services an extensive network with approximately 160 routes covering destinations in the ASEAN region, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka and Australia. Through its low-cost long-haul affiliate AirAsia X, its guests are able to reach more destinations in Australia, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, India, Iran, Korea, Japan, the UK and France. In less than 10 years of operations, AirAsia Group has carried more than 120 million guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to approximately 104. The airline today is proud to be a truly ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline. AirAsia was named the World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for three consecutive years, in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
