The Philippine unit of Southeast Asia’s largest low-cost carrier will fly to key destinations in the region after the airline secured a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

Carmelo Arcilla, executive director of Civil Aeronautics Board said that Air Asia Philippines plans to fly to Singapore, Japan, Macau, Malaysia and Hog Kong.

Arcilla said that AirAsia had already secured a temporary operating permit from CAB, but the budget airline needs to get an air operator certificate from CAAP.

The AOC of Air Asia is set to be signed by CAAP today.

AirAsia Philippines is also looking forward to fly in Palawan and Kalibo, Aklan from Clark.

AirAsia Philippines earlier secured 1,260 weekly seat entitlements for flights from Clark to Kuala Lumpur.

AirAsia’s first Airbus A320 aircraft arrived in August last year at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport for use in flights to Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong.

Air Asia holds 40 percent equity in AirAsia Philippines, through AA International, while the remaining 60-percent will be held in equal partnership by Marianne Hontiveros., Michael Romero, and Antonio Cojuangco.

Under the joint venture agreement, Air Asia will provide technical, operational and commercial support to AirAsia Philippines.

Besides the Philippines, Air Asia successfully launched LCC subsidiaries in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Air Asia operates a domestic and regional network, which include services within Malaysia and to China, Southeast Asia and the Asian subcontinent.

Data from Center for Asia Pacific Aviation showed that Air Asia’s fleet stood at 152 Airbus A320 as of March this year. *PNA

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