Low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines has welcomed long-time executive Suresh Bangah as its new president and general manager, in line with its parent company’s push to become a regional powerhouse.

Bangah, a seasoned aviation professional with nearly 30 years of experience, brings with him operational expertise and a strong leadership track record at AirAsia.

Having most recently served as group director of flight operations at AirAsia Aviation Group, Bangah joined the company in 2003 and has held several key roles such as chief pilot and director of flight operations.

Bangah will succeed Ricky Isla, who has served as AirAsia Philippines president and general manager since July 2019. Isla will serve as chief advisor during the leadership transition to ensure a smooth handover.

AirAsia Aviation Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bo Lingam said Bangah’s extensive management and industry experience makes him well-positioned to build on the strong foundations laid by his predecessor.

“Captain Suresh steps into this role at an important juncture. As AirAsia progresses into our next chapter, the Philippines remains a key pillar in our regional strategy,” said Lingam.

Lingam noted that the airline’s Philippine operations carry strong potential in inter-island connectivity and broader regional integration into Southeast Asia and North Asia.

Bangah is taking over the captain’s seat with a vision to enter a new era of sustainable and profitable growth, while aligning the airline closely with the country and local stakeholders.

“We’re firmly aligned with national efforts to grow the aviation and tourism sectors—from meeting rising demand for travel to supporting connectivity and infrastructure developments that will shape the future of travel in the Philippines,” said Bangah.

“At the same time, we remain focused on addressing key external challenges—including global supply chain delays affecting aircraft maintenance, rising fuel costs, higher airport charges, and environmental factors that can impact operations,” he added.

After flying approximately seven million guests last year, AirAsia Philippines is set to enter its next phase of growth with a plan to expand its operational fleet to 19 aircraft.

The carrier said this move will boost capacity to meet the rising demand while sustaining a 90-percent seat load factor this year.

“These ambitions are underpinned by a group-wide strategy to elevate the end-to-end guest experience through digitally enabled services and ancillary innovations,” it said.