Private flights as popular as ever, says PH boutique airline

Despite the continued recovery of commercial airlines, travelers with fat wallets are opting for private flights to visit island destinations for both business and leisure purposes, according to an official of Sunlight Air.

Ryna Brito-Garcia, CEO of the boutique airline, told reporters in Clark on Monday there was still a “big” demand for chartered flights even after the government has lifted its restrictions to contain COVID-19. Interest began at the peak of the pandemic as a way to limit exposure to the virus, she earlier said.

Sunlight Air operates, on average, two private flights per month. Passengers pay P203,000 per hour.

“We do charters for those who are getting married, let’s say, in Boracay,” Brito-Garcia said.

She said the airline also handles corporate clients who fly employees to areas where they are doing business.

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On Monday, Sunlight Air operated its inaugural flight at the Clark International Airport. This was after announcing that it would move its main hub from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) to the Pampanga gateway.

“[We] are confident that this move will allow us to better deliver our trademark quality of service to many more Filipinos,” Brito-Garcia said.

Sunlight Air currently provides flights to Siargao, Coron, Caticlan and San Vicente from Clark.

The airline is also looking at setting up routes to Cebu from Clark even as it continues to operate its Manila-Cebu route at Naia.

Sunlight Air currently operates three ATR 72-500 aircraft. It plans to buy or lease two more units in the next two to three years. —TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD INQ