AirAsia eyes additional South Korea flights, opposed

The domestic unit of Malaysia’s AirAsia Berhad is optimistic it will be allowed to increase flights to South Korea even after its request for limited seats was opposed by Air Philippines Corp., a sister company of Philippine Airlines.

In a text message, AirAsia Zest CEO Joy Caneba told the Inquirer that the carrier wanted to mount more flights to Incheon and Pusan. AirAsia Zest is partly owned by AirAsia Inc.

AirAsia, in a filing dated Oct. 17, sought the approval of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to reallocate 3,000 seat entitlements of Air Philippines in favor of the former. This was originally set to be decided earlier this month but opposition from Air Philippines prompted the CAB to reset the hearing to Dec. 10 this year.

AirAsia Zest flies to Korea from its main hubs in Manila, Cebu and Kalibo, Caneba said.

“We are the market leader in Kalibo and there is no reason for us not to get it (added seats),” Caneba said.

“We have been very focused on the Korean market and we have the support of the whole AirAsia Group that operates into Korea,” she added.

A PAL official did not respond to an Inquirer request for comment on Friday.

In a recent visit, AirAsia Bhd. founder Tony Fernandes said the company was keen on growing its Philippine operations, with new expansions plans focused on Korea, Japan and other destinations within Southeast Asia.

A separate filing showed that AirAsia Zest was seeking more flights to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The airline said it wanted another 1,260 seats per week, which the CAB is set to decide on by Dec. 11.

The Philippines and Malaysia last month sealed a new air deal that effectively doubled capacity between their respective primary gateways.

CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla said successful talks allowed them to increase the original 4,820 seats per week to 9,640 seats per week between Manila and Kuala Lumpur. Moreover, the agreement expanded capacity between all points in Malaysia to all points in the Philippines, except Manila, from 2,000 to unlimited seats per week, he said.

The new air deal replaces a 2011 agreement, the CAB had said.