(PHILIPPINES) Avion Express Philippines has secured a Temporary Operating Permit (TOP) from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on August 13–14, 2025, clearing a key hurdle for its planned November 2025 launch from Clark International Airport in Angeles City. The permit lets the new carrier start operational preparations for ACMI—an arrangement where an airline provides aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance to other carriers—while it works toward full certification.
To begin full commercial work, the company must still obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from CAB and an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
Fleet and Base plans
The company’s first Airbus A320-200 is expected to arrive ahead of the November start, with two more A320-200s slated to join by June 2026. All operations will be based at Clark International Airport, which has grown into a strategic site for both passenger and cargo flows and a rising center for MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) work.
The base choice aligns with the airport’s broader role in the country’s aviation build-out and the growing presence of major cargo operators such as FedEx and UPS.
Regulatory milestones and timeline
Avion Express Philippines’ TOP is the first step in a standard, carefully staged process overseen by Philippine aviation regulators:
- Temporary Operating Permit (TOP): Allows the airline to begin preparations and limited activity tied to setup.
- Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN): Required for full commercial operations; issued by CAB.
- Air Operator Certificate (AOC): Issued by CAAP, confirming safety and operational compliance.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this step-by-step pathway—TOP, then CPCN and AOC—helps new carriers phase in operations while meeting safety and service standards.
For official references and updates on permits and economic authority, see the Civil Aeronautics Board at https://cab.gov.ph.
The company’s immediate timeline includes:
- First aircraft delivery: November 2025
- Two additional A320-200s: by June 2026
Full launch remains dependent on obtaining the remaining approvals (CPCN and AOC).
Transport leaders, including Secretary Jaime J. Bautista and Undersecretary Roberto C.O. Lim, have highlighted aviation’s role in jobs and regional links. The policy message: keep improving infrastructure, tighten oversight where needed, and support carriers that can add capacity and reliability.
Market context and forecasts
Sector forecasts point to solid tailwinds:
- The Philippine aviation market is projected to grow by 8% in 2025, outpacing global averages.
- Asia-Pacific airlines posted a 16.9% rise in revenue passenger kilometers in 2024.
- Manila’s airport capacity is set to nearly double, from 35 million to 62 million annual passengers.
- Construction of the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan is scheduled to begin in 2025.
- Upgrades are progressing across regional gateways in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Government reforms—airport privatization, new digital systems, and updated rules—aim to sustain momentum and improve efficiency.
Broader market impact
Avion Express Philippines plans to operate mainly as an ACMI provider, a model that offers flexible capacity to partner carriers during peak seasons, fleet transitions, or maintenance downtime.
Key implications:
- For partner airlines:
- Rent aircraft and crew together, with maintenance and insurance included.
- Stabilize schedules and respond quickly to demand shocks without buying planes or hiring large numbers of staff.
- For established carriers:
- May respond with added routes or sharper pricing to protect market share.
- For travelers:
- More flight choices and potentially lower fares due to increased competition.
- For logistics firms and MRO shops:
- Steadier work, better turn times, and access to skilled teams based at Clark.
The move also aligns with the parent company’s growth plan. Avia Solutions Group has been expanding across Southeast Asia and the Pacific—launches in Indonesia, Australia, Thailand, and Malaysia—and in the Americas with Brazil and Mexico. The strategy reduces Europe’s seasonality effect and builds presence in high-growth markets needing technical support.
Infrastructure, labor, and environmental context
Government modernization is designed to integrate these developments:
- Digital upgrades and clearer rules to speed processes while upholding standards.
- Major airport projects—from Manila’s expansion to the Bulacan greenfield build—provide a long runway for growth.
- Regional infrastructure upgrades (runways, terminals, air traffic systems) spread tourism, trade, and jobs across the islands.
Labor and training:
- Aviation expansion is expected to create about 58,000 jobs through tourism and related spending.
- The Philippines is positioning itself as a leading source of aviation professionals and a major MRO hub in the Asia-Pacific.
- Clark’s draw of large cargo players supports an ecosystem for technicians, engineers, and support staff.
Freight and environment:
- Philippine air cargo market projected to reach USD 2.42 billion by 2033, with a 5.34% CAGR from 2025–2033, driven by e-commerce and logistics upgrades.
- The government has allocated 100 million pesos for carbon offset projects, aiming for net-zero by 2050.
Important: The TOP enables essential setup, but the carrier still needs both the CPCN and AOC before full commercial activity begins.
Near-term priorities and competitive dynamics
The next few months will focus on certification and operational readiness:
- Completing regulatory approvals (CPCN and AOC)
- Fleet induction and aircraft deliveries
- Crew onboarding and training
- Maintenance planning and safety checks
Market dynamics may shift as Philippine Airlines moves toward key fleet decisions by the end of 2025, potentially influencing capacity planning across rival networks.
If approvals proceed on schedule, Avion Express Philippines will enter a market primed by policy reforms and private investment, with Clark International Airport as a strong anchor for growth. Execution—meeting regulatory checkpoints, delivering reliable ACMI service, and proving value to partner airlines—will determine success more than headlines.
This Article in a Nutshell
Avion Express Philippines won a TOP on August 13–14, 2025, enabling ACMI setup at Clark. First A320-200 arrives November 2025; two more by June 2026. Full commercial operations still depend on CPCN and AOC approvals, crucial for safety, certification, and launching reliable ACMI services in the Philippines.
