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. This 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 Philippine’s 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 percent in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in domestic travel and improved international connectivity. This 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 Martynas Grigas, Chairman of Avion Express Philippines. “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, provides airlines with the opportunity to test new routes or temporarily expand without long-term commitments. This is especially important 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 back 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 A320s from one this year and adding its second and third aircraft by June 2026.
