For Budget Airlines, AirPhil Express is Raising the Stakes in the Philippine Market

Budget airlines in the Philippines growing

AirPhil Express, the fastest growing Philippine airline, is upping the stakes in the low cost airline business beyond bargain basement prices.

Airphil Express is making passenger safety, comfort, and convenience as its major selling points among budget airlines that have mostly sacrificed these factors for the sake off maintaining dirt-cheap prices.

Senior Vice-President for Sales and Marketing Alfredo Herrera said that Airphil Express was eyeing to be the industry leader in these categories with its strategy of using only brand-new for its fleet and keeping the bulk of its flight schedule within normal time zones.

"The budget carriers will always be defined by pricing but airlines can only bring down their prices as much especially with the rising cost of fuel and labor. This is why we will highlight Airphil Express advantages in safety and comfort of our planes and the convenience of loading and unloading schemes as key marketing points aside from price," said Herrera.

Herrera said that the company’s marketing studies showed that while price continue to be the main factor in a passenger’s choice of airlines, consumer demands for safety, comfort and convenience have become as important especially to second time fliers.

Airphil Express chose the Airbus A320 as its main steed because of its optimized legroom and elbowroom, and easily accessible storage spaces. APX also provides its passengers with a 15-kilo free baggage allowance.

Airphil Express convenience extends not only from its friendly schedule but also to its departure and arrival schemes that cut down the waiting and walking time for passengers. For example, Airphil Express is the only domestic airline that disembarks directly at the Changi airport in Singapore which allows passengers to get to their destinations faster. Airphil Express flies to major cities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It has also opened up its second international destination, Hong Kong.

Airphil Express is Recognized for Top Aircraft Reliability in the Oceania Region

Airphil Express, the fastest growing budget airline in the Philippines, was recently awarded the top airline reliability performance award for the Q400* aircraft in the Oceania region by Bombardier, besting other airlines within this product category and region.

Airphil Express achieved the highest overall dispatch reliability, and placed first overall in the Q400* aircraft category for the Oceania region.

Bombardier applauded Airphil Express’ outstanding performance at a ceremony held during the company’s fourth annual Award Gala Dinner in Toronto, Canada.

“The winners of the Airline Performance Reliability Awards have achieved world-class performance over the past year. We congratulate Airphil Express, its management team and all its employees on their excellent results,” said Todd Young, Vice President, Customer Services and Support, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

“We are proud of this tremendous achievement and all of our employees who contribute daily to the success of our operation,” said Alfredo Herrera, senior vice president for Marketing and Sales

The recognition was based on a review of the reliability statistics for airlines operating Q400* aircraft that have achieved over 99% dispatch reliability.

Airphil Express currently operates the newest aircraft fleet in the country. The company has more than 23 local destinations from its Manila hub alone, and at the end of 2010 introduced its first international destination, Singapore, with plans to launch more overseas destinations in the near future.

Airphil Express is also one of the only budget airlines in the region offering great-value travel services such as a 15 kg free baggage allowance and an added 7 kg hand carry allowance. It also provides excellent travel assistance like Web check-in, travel insurance, seat selector, and pre-paid baggage.