In a separate post, we talked about AirPhil Express. However, we didn’t tackle much about ancestor of AirPhil Express and PAL Express. We are talking about Air Philippines, a multi-awarded low-cost airline of the millennium. Air Philippines still does exist, operating under the name and style of PAL Express or Philippine Airlines domestic.
Air Philippines became a multi-awarded airline from the late 90s to the turn of the millennium. It garnered the following awards:
- 1997 Most Outstanding Domestic Airline by the Consumers Union of the Philippines
- 2000 Diamond Award by the 2000 Grand Prix Costumer Service Awards
- 2002 Most Outstanding Domestic Airline by the Consumers Union of the Philippines
- 2003 Outstanding Domestic Airline by the Asia Pacific Awards Council
- 2003 Most Outstanding Domestic Airline by the Parangal ng Bayan Foundation
- 2003 Most Outstanding Domestic Airline by the Consumer Union of the Philippines
- 2003 Top Domestic Airline by the National Consumers Affairs Council
- 2003 Most Outstanding Domestic Airline by the Parangal ng Bayan Foundation
- 2003 Outstanding Domestic Airline Company by the Asia Pacific Awards Council
So how did Air Philippines start? Lets take a look back at its history.
Air Philippines beginnings
Air Philippines Corporation was formed in 1993 by The Wellex Group chairman William T. Gatchalian. The airline, Air Philippines, then began flight operations in February 1, 1996 with its hub at Subic Bay. It was serving flights to Iloilo and Zamboanga utilizing a lone Boeing 737-200. Later in 1996, Air Philippines acquired 5 more Boeing 737-200 and 6 Japanese-made NAMC YS-11 turbo props. In 1997, Air Philippines took in another Boeing 737-200. They operated flights to major destinations operating from its hubs in Manila and Cebu.
In 1997, Air Philippines flew 675,000 passengers and 773,000 in 1998.
In 1999, the Lucio Tan group took over Air Philippines. This allowed the airline to operate international flights after approval was given by the Air Transportation Office. Air Philippines then began international operations, flying to Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Guam.
Air Philippines was a Boeing operator
Today, Air Philippines under the name of PAL Express utilizes a fleet of Airbus A320 family jets and De Havilland turboprops. However in the 90s to the early 2000s, Air Philippines was solid Boeing operator. They operated a total of 23 Boeing 737-200s, 3 Boeing 737-300s, and 2 Boeing 737-400s. They also had three McDonnel MD-82 aircraft when U-Land purchased a stake in the airline before Lucio Tan took over.
In 2008, Air Philippines took in Bombardier Q300 turbo props and rebranded as PAL Express. Later on, the airline took in its first Airbus A320 jets from Philippine Airlines and rebranded as AirPhil Express.
Below is a media presentation of Air Philippines way back. Enjoy!
