BUDGET CARRIER Airphil Express has launched its maiden international operations out of Clark, Pampanga last week amid the increasing presence there of rival AirAsia Philippines. In a statement, Airphil Express said it started offering its Hong Kong and Singapore flights last week out of Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark. The low-cost carrier is operated by Air Philippines Corp., which is the budget unit of Philippine Airlines. Airphil Express in March had started domestic flights out of Clark going to Cebu, Davao, Kalibo and Puerto Princesa. “The move forms part of the company’s plan to increase its market share in the burgeoning budget airline industry,” the airline said in a statement yesterday. Already, the company cornered 20.70% of the domestic market share, flying 1.07 million passengers from January to March, according to data from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). But for its international market share, the company only captured 1.76% or 34,914 passengers in the first quarter as against other local carriers offering international flights, CAB data also showed. New entrant AirAsia, Inc., which operates AirAsia Philippines, is readying its international flights to destinations which include Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore. The local partner of Malaysian carrier AirAsia Bhd. has moved to beef up its seat entitlements for Hong Kong and Macau to 1,260 each from 1,092 and 1,036, respectively. To keep up with the growing demand for air transportation, Airphil Express has also increased its fleet amid plans to expand regional routes. The company said it added a new Airbus 320 to its current fleet, bringing the carrier’s number total number of its service aircraft to 20, which comprises of twelve Airbus 320s, three Q300s and five Q400s. “The new acquisition is part of the company’s ongoing expansion this year and is seen to help enhance servicing of the budget airline’s continuously expanding routes,” the carrier said. Airphil Express currently serves 32 regular flights to local destinations in the country and seven international routes. Alfredo A. Herrera, the airlines’ former senior vice-president, previously said that the carrier is looking to book as much as P11 billion in revenues this year versus P8 billion in 2010. -- Cliff Harvey C. Venzon http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Corporate&title=AirPhil-Express-moves-to-keep-up-with-AirAsia&id=52122