AirAsia Zest (Manila Ninoy Aquino International) CEO Joy Caneba has unveiled plans to develop Cebu and Davao into its next bases after its Manila Ninoy Aquino International primary hub. According to Travel News Asia, the budget carrier is in talks with national authorities in Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore over the start of Cebu to Bangkok Don Mueang and Hong Kong International flights. Singapore Changi is set to launch in February next year.
"This is just the beginning of our new plans for Cebu as we are set to expand our presence here with new international direct flights and 'fly-thru' products to connect all Filipinos to the rest of AirAsia Group's massive network covering over 88 destinations stretching across China, India and Australia," she said.
AirAsia Zest's Cebu operations currently extend to Cagayan de Oro Laguindingan, Davao, and Manila Ninoy Aquino International domestically and Seoul Incheon regionally.
In terms of its Davao operations, Caneba said her airline is looking to boost its presence at the southern Filipino airport from its current Cebu route, to include services to Manila Ninoy Aquino International and Kalibo. In addition, flights from Davao to Kota Kinabalu, one of Malaysia's most popular tourist destinations, are also in the pipeline.
Out of its Manila and Kalibo hubs, AirAsia Zest uses a fleet of eleven A320-200s and one A319-100 to serve a network of domestic and regional destinations including South Korea, China, Macau, and Malaysia.
