PAL Express
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| Founded |
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| Commenced operations |
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| AOC # | 2009006 | ||||||
| Hubs | Manila | ||||||
| Secondary hubs | |||||||
| Focus cities | Zamboanga | ||||||
| Frequent-flyer program | Mabuhay Miles | ||||||
| Fleet size | 29 | ||||||
| Destinations | 32 | ||||||
| Parent company | Philippine Airlines | ||||||
| Headquarters | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||||||
| Key people |
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| Website | www | ||||||
PAL Express (formerly branded as Air Philippines and Airphil Express) is a wholly owned regional subsidiary of Philippine Airlines. It is PAL's regional brand, with services from its hubs in Manila, Clark, Cebu, and Davao.
The airline was rebranded a number of times - first as Air Philippines, then Airphil Express, and finally as PAL Express. After a series of financial losses, Air Philippines ceased operations until it was acquired by investors from Philippine Airlines. After the acquisition, the airline was re-launched as PAL Express, operating some routes and slot assignments of its sister company Philippine Airlines until its management decided to rebrand the carrier as a budget airline known as Airphil Express.
However, in March 2013, the airline name reverted to PAL Express. As a codeshare partner of Philippine Airlines, PAL Express operates as a full-service carrier within a low-cost business model.
PAL Express is Philippine Airlines' answer to Cebu Pacific's dominance in the low-cost travel market in the Philippines. It has allowed PAL to focus on the premium market, where PAL does not have competition among other airlines. PAL Express gained a significant increase in passengers following its launch as a low-cost carrier. The airline is currently in fleet acquisition mode to support its regional route expansion plan.