Sunlight Express Airways prepares for take-off

Aviation Updates Philippines – A new player in the Philippine airline industry is scheduled to take on the skies very soon. Sunlight Express Airways plans to launch domestic operations from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila within the year.

LIVERY EXCLUSIVELY RELEASED. Sunlight Express Airways sent us this photo of their ATR 72-500 aircraft.

In October 2019, Sunlight Express Airways Corp. has arranged with the Civil Aeronautics Board for the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). The law requires the issuance of a CPCN before a private entity offers public services.

Sunlight will operate chartered domestic flights across the country as it positions itself to be a domestic non-scheduled air transportation services operator.



The new airline intends to operate an ATR 72-500 aircraft.

According to the German aviation site Skyliner, Sunlight's first aircraft will be registered as RP-C6683 (MSN 0700), an ex-Bangkok Airways aircraft (previously registered as HS-PGF). It is currently being ferried from France to the Philippines.

As of writing, the airline has not announced any routes it plans to operate.

Per Planespotters.net, Sunlight already has three ATR 72-500 aircraft in its inventory (RP-C6638, and RP-C6683). The average fleet age is 16.1 years old.

In a February 2020 update, Sunlight Express Airways has exclusively revealed to Aviation Updates Philippines that the airline plans to launch domestic flights from either Manila or Clark to Busuanga and Puerto Princesa. Chartered flights are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2020.

Sunlight currently awaits the arrival of their third ATR 72-500 aircraft this March.