Capital A, the parent arm of AirAsia Philippines plans to launch a logistics business and an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in the country along with expanding AirAsia Philippines as a part of the Group’s long-term expansion plans.
Speaking of creating more job opportunities for Filipino population, Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive, AirAsia said: “I am excited to put in more investments in the Philippines. We have a great logistics business coming - Teleport Philippines, which we think will be great for e-commerce providers in the Philippines to sell their goods all over. We want to build an engineering company here, on top of Lufthansa Technik's [operation]. We would like to bring ADE, which is a really fantastic company."
Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), the Malaysian-based MRO arm of Capital A is currently operating from leased sites with a new hangar, capable of accommodating 14 narrowbody, under construction.
Explaining the Group’s post-pandemic strategy, Fernandes said: “Leisure, migration workforce and SME travel currently comprise pent-up demand for air travel. 80% of AirAsia's South-East Asia traffic consists of shorter trips and low-cost travel. With this, we'd like to further connect the Philippines to other ASEAN destinations."
AirAsia anticipates hiring an additional 1,000 employees to support the Philippines expansion in the next three years. “Our biggest asset is actually people. People are smart here, people are hard-working, and they have a wonderful personality. So, for us, we will grow all four lines of Capital A in the Philippines,” Fernandes added.