AirAsia to deploy first A220 narrowbody in PHL

AIRASIA GROUP is set to become the first operator of the Airbus A220 in the Philippines as it plans to deploy the aircraft in the country by 2028, a company official said.

The move is part of the group’s fleet renewal program, which aims to replace older aircraft, including Airbus A320s, to reduce fuel consumption and operating costs.

“We are going to get the A220s end of next year. So those will be deployed in the Philippines as well,” AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer Bo Lingam said during a briefing on Monday.

He said the group is still evaluating its network and potential new routes for the aircraft’s deployment in Manila.

He said the assessment is expected to take another two to three months.

“Hopefully, this exercise will be completed by the first quarter of 2028,” he said.

In May, AirAsia placed an order for 150 Airbus A220-300 aircraft valued at $19 billion, with plans to increase the commitment to 300 aircraft to meet future demand.

The group has said the A220 aircraft will primarily serve Southeast Asian and Asia-Pacific routes, allowing larger aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Airbus A321 to be redeployed to medium-haul operations, while Airbus A330 jets will be used for long-haul routes to Europe, Australia, and North America.

AirAsia Philippines said the planned fleet expansion could benefit its operations by strengthening connectivity to key international destinations through its Fly-Thru program, which connects passengers to regional and long-haul routes via AirAsia hubs.

The group described the A220 variant as its “next-generation efficiency workhorse,” providing the right-sized capacity needed to optimize margins on mid-density routes.

On its Philippine domestic network, Mr. Lingam said AirAsia’s suspension of flights to and from Bohol and Puerto Princesa in Palawan is temporary.

“If we have suspended it, it will only be here for a while, not for long,” he said.

Founded in 2001, AirAsia operates low-cost airline businesses in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia. Its Philippine affiliate began operations in 2012. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera