MANILA, Philippines — Boutique carrier Sunlight Air has purchased a new turboprop from French manufacturer ATR, as it prepares to expand its inter-island coverage this year.
Sunlight yesterday said it has procured a new ATR 72-600 to grow its fleet to four, on top of the three 72-500s it is currently managing.
The 72-600 offers a seating capacity of up to 68 passengers. Sunlight selected the aircraft for its low carbon emission compared to counterparts.
List prices from aircraft broker Paramount Business Jets showed that a brand-new 72-600 would cost at least $26 million, while a pre-owned unit would amount to $17.85 million. The aircraft can run up to 825 nautical miles, and it is one of the most fuel-efficient regional jets.
For 2025, Sunlight CEO Ryna Brito-Garcia said the airline plans to scale up its flight frequency this year. Aside from this, the carrier will expand its route choices to keep up with the demand.
Overall, Brito-Garcia said Sunlight is working on becoming the airline of choice among Filipinos traveling to island destinations like Busuanga (Coron) and Caticlan (Boracay).
“As we enter this new year, we find that there are more growth opportunities that come with the continuous increase of passenger demands,” Brito-Garcia said.
Sunlight operates flights from Manila, Clark and Cebu, where it takes off to reach high-demand islands like Busuanga, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan and Siargao.
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), for its part, also made headway in expanding its domestic reach. PAL yesterday launched its maiden flight from Manila to Cauayan, Isabela, which will run on a daily basis using an 86-seater De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 New Generation.
PAL brought in the provincial service to replace the land trip that requires at least 10 hours. PAL believes that the daily flights would also improve trade and travel in Cauayan.
PAL Express president Rabbi Ang said the airline took the gamble on Cauayan as part of efforts to support air travel in the northern regions of Luzon.
In welcoming the inaugural flight, Cauayan Mayor Caesar Dy Jr. said that with daily trips from Manila, Isabela expects a boost in its tourism numbers to the benefit of its economy.