MANILA, 19 August 2025: Avion Express Philippines, a subsidiary of the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, Avia Solutions Group, has received a Temporary Operating Permit (TOP) from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) of the Philippines.
Having a TOP will enable the start-up airline to commence its preparations for flights offering ACMI services with operations based at Clark International Airport once it receives its first aircraft, expected in November this year.
The TOP will serve as Avion Express Philippines’ provisional authority in the meantime while seeking the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) also by the CAB, and an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
Avion Express Philippines is designed to meet the country’s seasonal aircraft capacity needs through its ACMI service. According to the CAB, air passenger traffic in the Philippines increased by 11% in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in domestic travel and improved international connectivity.
That estimate is also in line with projections from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) showing that the Asia-Pacific region, which includes the Philippines, is estimated to register the fastest-growing passenger demand in the next 20 years.
“While the region’s aviation sector is recovering well after the pandemic, with passenger numbers continuing to pick up, the availability of aircraft, however, has not matched the recovery rate,” said Avion Express Philippines Chairman Martynas Grigas. “ACMI provides a turnkey solution where we provide not just the aircraft, but also the crew, maintenance, and insurance. This allows our client airlines to scale operations during peak periods or cover grounded aircraft without significant investment or long-term commitment.”
Additionally, ACMI solutions, including aircraft wet lease, provide airlines with the opportunity to test new routes or temporarily expand without long-term commitments. That offers a crucial option as tourism is forecasted to make up one-fifth of the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) this year, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), and backs the Philippines Department of Tourism’s focus on improving connectivity and access to lesser-known tourist destinations within the country.
Avion Express Philippines plans to support airlines in the country and regionally by growing its fleet of A320Ss, from one this year and adding its second and third aircraft by June 2026.
About Avion Express Philippines
Avion Express Philippines is a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) provider, operating a fleet of 209 passenger and cargo aircraft worldwide. The group also provides various aviation services such as MRO, pilots and crew training, ground handling, and other interconnected solutions.
Avion Express Philippines is an airline based in the Philippines, specialising in ACMI leasing and air charter flights. To be strategically located at the Clark International Airport, Avion Express Philippines will provide premier ACMI services and create an essential link for customers throughout the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
For more information, visit: avionexpressph and www.aviasg.com.
For more information visit: avionexpressph.aero and www.aviasg.com.
