AirAsia Zest unmoved by Cebu Pacific-Tigerair merger

Budget airline AirAsia Zest sees the recent merger of Cebu Air Inc. (Cebu Pacific) and Tiger Airways as a normal part of the industry consolidation, and is focused on expanding its own fleet and international routes to be a noteworthy alternative, an official said Thursday.

 

"No, I see no reason to oppose it. It will make Cebu Pacific bigger but that is okay," said Philippines AirAsia president Maan Hontiveros at the sidelines of the awarding of the airline's #LoveisintheAir social media contest.

 

In January, Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific announced it was acquiring Tigerair Philippines in a $15-million deal.  The deal was signed February 11 by John Gokongwei and representatives of Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd. of Singapore.

 

The Cebu Pacific-Tigerair merger could be an advantage for AirAsia, Hontiveros noted.

 

"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," she said.

 

AirAsia Zest intends to beef up its fleet by adding two to four aircraft to its current 12. She said two Airbus A320 aircraft to delivered this year are likely to arrive within the first half of the year.

 

Hontiveros said that the company is looking at the possibility of mounting flights to Nagoya and Osaka in Japan as well as some parts of China, depending on whether the Philippines would be upgraded to Category 1 after being downgraded to Category 2 in 2008.

 

Hontiveros said the company will also expand its domestic routes via the hubs in Manila and Kalibo.

 

AirAsia Zest currently flies to Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Cebu, Davao, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, and Cagayan de Oro as well as international points in Asia including China and South Korea.

 

Hontiveros said AirAsia Zest is also looking into the possibility of mounting long haul flights through a partnership between AirAsia Berhad and AirAsia X.

 

"That is always a possibility. If we do long haul, we will partner with AirAsia X," she said.

 

She said the airline is also looking at returning back to Clark International Airport in Pampanga after transferring to the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport. – Elizabeth Marcelo/VS GMA, News