08/01/2026
Sadly, Royal Air Philippines has ended its commercial scheduled passenger services. While we might still see the planes flying, they would most likely be all-cargo or chartered passenger flights. This basically leaves one independent airline left competing among the Philippines' "big-3 airlines", and that's Sunlight Air. While they operate an all-turboprop fleet of ATR 72s, they offer a different kind of product no other airline in the Philippines is offering: boutique services, which is somewhat of a specialized kind of offering while operating inter-island routes. Recently, they launched their Cebu–Siquijor route, a route no other airline is offering.
I do hope we can also support other airlines in the country like Sunlight Air. They are not part of any big conglomerate of airlines. AirSwift is now owned by the Cebu Pacific group. AirAsia Philippines is part of AirAsia Berhad. And of course, you have the Philippine Airlines group, which has been well established for many years.
Sunlight Air is basically a new player, and they are doing their best to keep up amidst the many challenges and constraints of our airports and operating airlines. And yes, they are now the only one operating as a boutique airline after Skyjet folded up during the pandemic.
I hope to really see them succeed, but of course, they cannot be overly aggressive, but rather very calculated and strategic, knowing that they have a different airline business model, which is somehow unique in the Philippines. I hope to also see them operating jets soon, perhaps the first player to operate regional jets? Well, let's see, but with the way I am forecasting things, I more likely see them potentially operating Airbus A320 family jets.
But nevertheless, let's not forget to support Sunlight Air. Their business model does have a lot of potential, especially in spurring local tourism. And don't forget to try their Banana Chips! It's definitely the best!
