Avion Express Philippines, a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, has been granted a Temporary Operating Permit (TOP) by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) of the Philippines. The approval marks a key milestone for the start-up carrier as it prepares to launch ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) services from its base at Clark International Airport once its first aircraft arrives in November this year.
The TOP provides provisional authority for operations while the airline pursues a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the CAB and an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Designed to meet seasonal capacity needs, Avion Express Philippines will supply turnkey ACMI solutions to airlines seeking to expand operations during peak periods, cover grounded aircraft, or test new routes without committing to long-term investment.
According to CAB data, air passenger traffic in the Philippines rose by 11 percent in the first quarter of 2025, driven by increased domestic travel and improved international connectivity. IATA projects that the Asia-Pacific region will experience the fastest-growing passenger demand globally over 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 has not matched the recovery rate,” said Martynas Grigas, Chairman of Avion Express Philippines. “ACMI provides a complete operational package that enables airlines to scale quickly and efficiently.”
Tourism is expected to contribute one-fifth of the country’s GDP in 2025, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), supporting the Department of Tourism’s push to improve connectivity to lesser-known destinations. Avion Express Philippines plans to grow its A320 fleet from one aircraft in 2025 to three by June 2026, serving carriers in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia.
SOURCE AND IMAGE: Avion Express
