ShareThisMANILA – The budget carrier of Philippine Airlines (PAL) expects sales to pick up this year after its maiden flight in Singapore.
Maria Java, Airphil Express (APX) vice president for marketing and media said with the introduction of its first regional flights to Singapore, the company has exceeded its revenue expectations for September and October.
“With the growth momentum, we expect to close the year with strong numbers,” Java said.
APX inaugurated their first international route on its maiden flight that left NAIA Terminal 3 at 4pm and landed in Singapore’s Changi Airport premier Terminal 2 last October 27.
Java added that its investors are very confident in the momentum of the airline.
“In fact, in our last board meeting, we confirmed commitments for investments from the Lucio Tan group amounting to some P250 Million to be poured into the acquisition of 20 more aircraft to service both domestic and the expanding international operations. Improvements in technology and operational systems will also see serious investment monies,” Java said.
In the past month alone, APX received its first two of four brand new Airbus A320 aircraft and promptly launched additional flights to Cebu and Davao and opened new routes to Legazpi and Tagbilaran direct from Manila using the new aircraft.
“Our strength lies in growing our community markets, both domestically as well as regionally. In Singapore, we recently supported our expat Filipino community there at the 3rd Philippine Country Fair. Our rock bottom rate of SGD 30 one way was a hit among the Filipino professionals in that market,” Java added.
Last week, APX also launched expansion of its Bombardier Q400 serviced routes out of their Cebu headquarters. New flights from Cebu to Catarman, Naga and Ozamis were launched simultaneously last October 21.
As its third and fourth Airbus A320 aircraft are delivered end of November.