Domestic boutique carrier Sunlight Air plans to mount international flights as early as 2027, as it targets to be the go-to airline for local and foreign tourists visiting the country’s most popular island getaways.

Sunlight Air Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ryna Brito-Garcia said the airline is positioning itself to be a major tourism driver, and that means expanding its passenger base beyond domestic flyers.

“It's very important for us that we bring more people to the different island destinations of our country,” Brito-Garcia told reporters last week.

“So, if that means bringing in more foreign travelers into our islands, then that's the best that can possibly happen for Sunlight Air,” she added.

Sunlight Air, which operates an all-turboprop fleet, flies to island destinations such as Coron, Siargao, and Boracay out of its bases in Clark, Cebu, and Manila.

The airline is looking to lease or acquire regional jets—aircraft designed for short- to medium-range flights to destinations near the Philippines—as part of its plan to serve foreign travelers.

“We're looking at that from 2027 onwards,” said Brito-Garcia.

Sunlight Air operates a fleet of three ATR 72-500s, each capable of carrying around 70 passengers.

Last week, the airline officially unveiled its newest aircraft, an ATR 72-600, which will fly to current and future destinations more efficiently.

The 72-600 is designed to carry up to 78 passengers. But, staying true to its promise of delivering exceptional service, Sunlight Air is reducing its seat capacity to 68 to provide more legroom for each passenger.

Brito-Garcia said the airline is intent on keeping the 72-600 as its main aircraft type, with plans to replace its 72-500s with the next generation underway starting next year.

“We'll do a renewal first, and then let's talk about getting new ones again after that,” she said.

At the Sunlight Ascend event last week, Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla confirmed that the airline is in talks with European jetmaker Airbus for a potential purchase of a jet aircraft.

Brito-Garcia said acquiring a bigger aircraft is not yet planned next year, but she said it will be explored beginning in 2027.

From that point, Sunlight Air will look to onboard narrow-body jets in its growing fleet.

Airbus is the manufacturer behind the A320, one of the most popular aircraft for domestic airlines. The aircraft can carry around 180 passengers.

Sunlight Air is looking to leverage a jet aircraft to resume operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) following its scheduled transfer from the primary gateway in December.

Ahead of the planned turboprop phaseout next year, the airline has moved its flights to Clark International Airport, except for its Manila to Coron route, which will end on Dec. 15.

According to Brito-Garcia, Sunlight Air has flown 200,000 passengers even before the holiday rush. This figure is already 49 percent higher than last year’s record of 134,627.

Sunlight Air expects additional passenger volume from the launch of its Cebu to Siquijor route in December on a four-times-weekly basis.

Next year, the airline is targeting a passenger growth of around 20 to 30 percent.