AirAsia Zest unfazed by CebuPac-Tiger teamup

Rappler.com

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AirAsia's Maan Hontiveros says the consolidation in the airline industry makes them an 'alternative' airline for consumers

UNFAZED. AirAsia isn't bothered by Cebu Pacific's acquisition of TigerAir Philippines. File photo by KD Suarez/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – AirAsia Zest said it was not fazed by Cebu Pacific’s acquisition of Tigerair Philippines. 

Maan Hontiveros, Philippines AirAsia president, said the company was not bothered by Cebu Pacific’s decision to acquire Tigerair Philippines for US$15 million.

Hontiveros pointed to the airline industry as being in a period of consolidation, noting that, “It just consolidates the number of airlines operating which means that aside from Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines we are seen as the alternative airline.”

Cebu pacific is spending $7 million to acquire a 40% share of Tiger Airways Singapore Pte Ltd. It is also spending $8 million for the 60% stake held by Filipino businessmen in TigerAir Philippines. (READ: Cebu Pacific buying Tigerair PH for $15M)

Cebu Pacific has a fleet composed 49 Airbuses. These include 29 A320, 10 A319, two A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 planes. It is also working on refleeting, acquiring 49 new Airbus planes, which are comprised of 15 A320, 30 Airbus A321 Neo, and 4 A330 units.

TigerAir Philippines operates 5 Airbus A320s out of the total TigerAir fleet of 51 A320 planes. 

Hontiveros said AirAsia Zest is working to increase its fleet to about 14 to 16 aircraft from its current count of 12. Two of the A320 planes will arrive in the first half of the year. 

The airlines is also waiting for the Philippines to be reupgraded to Category 1 after being downgraded to Category 2 in 2008. (READ: PH failed to get US aviation upgrade?)

It is looking to start flights to Nagoya and Osaka in Japan and some parts of China, and also wants to increase its local flights through the Manila and Kalibo hubs. 

The unit of AirAsia Berhad in the Philippines is also looking to team up with AirAsia X for long-haul flights and looks to return to Clark International Airport in Pampanga after transferring to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

AirAsia Philippines and ZestAir entered a strategic alliance agreement in March 2013.  – Rappler.com

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