PAL Express

PAL Express (formerly branded as Air Philippines and Airphil Express and stylized as PAL express) is a wholly owned regional subsidiary of Philippine Airlines. It is PAL's regional brand, with services from its hubs in Manila, Clark, Cebu, and Davao. The airline was rebranded a number of times - first as Air Philippines, then Airphil Express, and finally as PAL Express. After a series of financial losses, Air Philippines ceased operations until it was acquired by investors from Philippine Airlines. After the acquisition, the airline was re-launched as PAL Express, operating some routes and slot assignments of its sister company Philippine Airlines until its management decided to rebrand the carrier as a budget airline known as Airphil Express. However, in March 2013, the airline name reverted to PAL Express. As a codeshare partner of Philippine Airlines, PAL Express operates as a full-service carrier within a low-cost business model. PAL Express is Philippine Airlines' answer to Cebu Pacific's dominance in the low-cost travel market in the Philippines. It has allowed PAL to focus on the premium market, where PAL does not have competition among other airlines. PAL Express gained a significant increase in passengers following its launch as a low-cost carrier. The airline is currently in fleet acquisition mode to support its regional route expansion plan.