Airlines In The Philippines IV

[JNC03]

📷: Tobias Gudat

The first post pandemic A321neo of PAL

[filipinoavgeek]

I read a report elsewhere that AirAsia PH has been putting some staff and crew on unpaid leave. Are those real?

[kilohakdog]

Was flying out of MNL earlier today, it seems that some of PAL’s A321 are being retrofitted/under maintenance at LTP. Notably, the other long-grounded Neo, RP-C9937, has been moved inside the hangar. It seems they are on track to reactivate the PW jets.

[Evodesire]

filipinoavgeek wrote

I read a report elsewhere that AirAsia PH has been putting some staff and crew on unpaid leave. Are those real?

It's been happening for months already. Mandatory LWOP for 14 days, if my memory serves me right.

[Arianespace]

Those that were retrofitted are the CEOs. The NEOs are mostly associated with P&W drama.

[Solblanc]

Air Asia X doesn’t seem to be doing well.

Someone mentioned a few posts back that Air Asia X might let go of their ex-PAL A330s still in the 309 seat config. Will PAL be able to get them back? That’s one way to start AKL without having to wait for a refurbished aircraft

[filipinoavgeek]

Solblanc wrote

Air Asia X doesn’t seem to be doing well.

Someone mentioned a few posts back that Air Asia X might let go of their ex-PAL A330s still in the 309 seat config. Will PAL be able to get them back? That’s one way to start AKL without having to wait for a refurbished aircraft

All of Malaysian AirAsia is not doing well. There are reports that the Malaysian government is considering bailing them out, or even reaching out to rivals like Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air if they can absorb the capacity in the event of an AirAsia collapse.

[kilohakdog]

Looks like Air Asia’s problem is getting worse, with Malaysian Government asking two rival airlines if they can absorb domestic capacity if Air Asia liquidates.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysia-talks-rival-airlines-it-monitors-airasias-financial-health-sources-say-2026-09-16/

[Arianespace]

Gustavo J Oppenheimer wrote

Arkia announced that it would be opening a new direct route to the capital of the Philippines, Manila, starting on January 3, 2027

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-907986

It just moved its inaugural to December 21. Christmas in Bethlehem then. One-way economy fares start at $750, while business-class tickets start at $1,800.

Arkia – Israeli Airlines during Northern winter 2026/27 season plans to launch service to The Philippines, with 1 weekly Tel Aviv – Manila scheduled from 21DEC26. Airbus A330-200 aircraft to serve this route.

IZ581 TLV1510 – 0915+1MNL 332 7
IZ582 MNL1050 – 1750TLV 332 1
https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/260911-iznw26mnl

[Gustavo J Oppenheimer]

IndiGo will first launch BOM-MNL first followed by DEL-CEB and BOM-CEB


https://bworldonline.com/economy/2026/09/15/777567/leading-indian-carrier-indigo-applies-to-offer-phl-services/

[JNC03]

[filipinoavgeek]

JNC03 wrote

Can't help but be skeptical, Tony has kept making promises about AirAsia PH (like launching long-haul flights) without it happening. Until the first A220 actually arrives in AirAsia PH colors, it's wait and see for me. I've also been skeptical if the A220 order will even meaningfully happen especially with their current mess.

[romantic_guy08]

filipinoavgeek wrote

JNC03 wrote

Can't help but be skeptical, Tony has kept making promises about AirAsia PH (like launching long-haul flights) without it happening. Until the first A220 actually arrives in AirAsia PH colors, it's wait and see for me. I've also been skeptical if the A220 order will even meaningfully happen especially with their current mess.

Could the troubles and uncertainties in AirAsia be on the reasons why the proposed terminal 4 (old cargo terminal) was shelved?

[filipinoavgeek]

romantic_guy08 wrote

filipinoavgeek wrote

JNC03 wrote

Can't help but be skeptical, Tony has kept making promises about AirAsia PH (like launching long-haul flights) without it happening. Until the first A220 actually arrives in AirAsia PH colors, it's wait and see for me. I've also been skeptical if the A220 order will even meaningfully happen especially with their current mess.

Could the troubles and uncertainties in AirAsia be on the reasons why the proposed terminal 4 (old cargo terminal) was shelved?

When I heard Terminal 4 was shelved or repurposed, that was my thought since if AirAsia PH collapsed, it wouldn't have any tenants.

[JNC03]

The Philippine unit of AirAsia has secured a new investor to boost its resources ahead of plans to expand both fleet and network, according to the airline’s boss Tony Fernandes.

Fernandes is scheduled to fly into Manila today to conclude investment talks with a new shareholder for AirAsia Philippines.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/09/21/2557651/airasia-lands-new-investor/amp/