PAL Express

PAL Express
IATA ICAO Call sign
2P GAP AIRPHIL
Founded
  • February 13, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-02-13)
    (as Air Philippines)
  • April 14, 2008; 16 years ago (2008-04-14)
    (as PAL Express)
Commenced operations
  • February 1, 1996; 28 years ago (1996-02-01)
    (as Air Philippines)
  • May 5, 2008; 16 years ago (2008-05-05)
    (as PAL Express, first incarnation)
  • March 28, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-03-28)
    (as Airphil Express)
  • March 15, 2013; 11 years ago (2013-03-15)
    (as PAL Express, second incarnation)
AOC #2009006[1]
HubsManila
Secondary hubs
Focus citiesZamboanga[2]
Frequent-flyer programMabuhay Miles
Fleet size28
Destinations32
Parent companyPhilippine Airlines
HeadquartersR1 Hangar, Andrews Avenue, Nichols, Pasay, Philippines
Key people
Websitewww.philippineairlines.com

Air Philippines Corporation, operating as PAL Express and formerly branded as Air Philippines and Airphil Express, is a wholly-owned subsidiary airline of Philippine Airlines.[3][4] It is PAL's regional brand, with services from its hubs in Manila, Clark, Cebu, and Davao.[5][3]

The airline has been re-branded a number of times, first as Air Philippines, then Airphil Express, and is now known as PAL Express. After a series of financial losses, Air Philippines ceased operations until it was acquired by investors from Philippine Airlines. After the acquisition, the airline was re-launched as PAL Express, operating some routes and slot assignments of its sister company Philippine Airlines until its management decided to re-brand the carrier as a budget airline known as Airphil Express.[3] However, in March 2013, the airline name was reverted to PAL Express. As a codeshare partner of Philippine Airlines, PAL Express operates as a full service carrier within a low-cost model.[6]

PAL Express is Philippine Airlines' answer to Cebu Pacific's dominance in the low-cost travel market in the Philippines. It has allowed PAL to focus on the premium market, where PAL does not have competition among other airlines.[4] PAL Express gained a significant increase in passengers following its launch as a low-cost carrier.[4] The airline is currently in fleet acquisition mode to support its regional route expansion plan.[7]

  1. ^ "ACTIVE/CURRENT AOC HOLDERS" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. May 30, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  2. ^ Zurbano, Joel E. (December 18, 2019). "PAL expands flight services from Cebu; Zambo mini-hub up". Manila Standard. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "PAL Express Airline Profile | CAPA". centreforaviation.com. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "PAL Express Commitment to Customer Satisfaction". www.philippineairlines.com. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  5. ^ "Air Philippines Corp. doing business under the name and style of Airphil Express; PAL express; and Philippine Airlines - GENERAL CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE" (PDF). philippineairlines.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  6. ^ Agcaoili, Lawrence (March 15, 2013). "PAL drops Airphil, revives PAL Express". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  7. ^ airphil express (June 14, 2011). "EXPRESSions on air: Airphil Express now fastest-growing carrier, grabs 19% market share". Airphilexpress.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2013.