Boutique airline Sunlight Air announced a significant operational change, shifting its primary base of operations to Clark International Airport effective April 1, 2024.
Sunlight Air stated that this relocation will include the introduction of a new nonstop route to Caticlan (Boracay) and an increase of flight frequency to Cebu.
This decision came after “careful consideration” and aligned with passenger feedback, according to Sunlight Air CEO Ryna Brito-Garcia.
Brito-Garcia added:
With this shift, Sunlight Air strives to provide even more passengers with our quality services and a better airline experience overall in terms of heightened efficiency and reliability.
Brito-Garcia further highlighted the state-of-the-art facilities at Clark International Airport, which are expected to provide passengers with a more comfortable travel experience.
Passengers with bookings for flights departing or arriving at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) post-April 1 will be updated by the airline about changes to their itineraries.
Sunlight Air will provide shared shuttle services between NAIA and Clark to ensure a smooth transition. Select flights currently scheduled at NAIA until March 31, 2024, are expected to proceed as planned.
Travelers with existing bookings for affected flights are advised to contact Sunlight Air to discuss changes to their itineraries.
Camiguin flights axed
While the airline has not explicitly mentioned dropping Manila-Camiguin flights in its press release, a passenger advisory seen by AUP disclosed that the route is set to be dropped on April 1 in conjunction with Sunlight Air’s transfer to its new hub.
Notably, however, the boutique airline did not mention Camiguin as one of its destinations, implicitly confirming that it would no longer service the route in the future.
The airline has been servicing the route aboard its ATR 72-500 aircraft since March 2022.
Presently, Sunlight Air operates direct flights from its Manila hub to the following destinations: Coron, Siargao, Naga, and San Vicente.
Post-relocation, the airline will maintain a minimal presence in Manila, linking the Philippine capital with Cebu from April 1.
Cebu hub to launch in April
As part of its major operational changes, Sunlight Air will also launch a new hub at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport this year.
Beginning April 2024, the airline plans to launch six new Cebu routes: Cebu-Coron, Cebu-Caticlan, Cebu-Cagayan de Oro, Cebu-Manila, Cebu-Iloilo, and Cebu-Siargao.
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