Philippines AirAsia targets 70-aircraft fleet by 2028

Philippines AirAsia will grow its fleet strongly over the next 10 years and build up its hub at Clark. CE Dexter Comendador said that PAA will operate 22 Airbus A320s by end of 2018, and add five new aircraft annually between 2019 and 2028. PAA now operates 20 A320s. Should the plan proceed as planned, the airline will have a fleet of around 70 jets by 2028. The CE however noted that the airports in the Philippines, such as those in Manila, Cebu and Kalibo are slot-constrained, and that PAA is hence looking at building up Clark for its growth. "I chose to go to Clark because I have room for my 50 [new] planes. Definitely in Manila, I cannot place my 50 planes. Manila is too full," saidComendador. "Moving forward, Clark will be established as the LCC hub of the Philippines. With the development of Clark, we hope to do something like what [Thai AirAsia executive chairman] Tassapon Bijleveld did with Bangkok Don Mueang airport."<br/>