Filipino regional boutique airline AirSWIFT is taking more travelers to new frontiers with routes towards hard-to-reach destinations around the Philippines.
It is one of the country’s leading boutique airlines committed to providing a world-class, seamless and hassle-free travel experience to the Philippines’ best island destinations.
It began operations 20 years ago primarily to provide flights to Ayala Land (ALI) resorts in El Nido, but soon expanded to more locations including islands not usually serviced by larger carriers.
Founded in 2002 as Island Transvoyager, the company had three Dornier 228 aircraft. All of these were retired by early 2013 and replaced by ATR 42-600s.
Ayala Capital Corporation acquired ownership of Island Transvoyager Inc in 2012. In October 2015, Island Transvoyager rebranded as AirSWIFT Airlines.
The brand upholds excellence by observing the highest standards of quality, safety and security in aviation services. With the continuous investment in the training of pilots and operations staff to ensure that the brand meets and exceed the demands of travelers.
“In our effort to provide a convenient and safe end-to-end travel experience to unique destinations around the Philippines, we also aim to support tourism growth and improve transport connectivity through our missionary routes,” said AirSWIFT president Alfie Reyes.
Due to easing of travel restrictions and increased mobility, AirSWIFT connected 212,441 passengers to iconic Philippine destinations in 2022.
“As travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, the growth of sustainable tourism in more island destinations will also create increased opportunities for employment and will help support local industries as well,” Reyes added.
AirSWIFT now connects travellers to iconic Philippine destinations such as El Nido, Coron, Sicogon Island, Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, Romblon from highly accessible Airport Terminals in NAIA Terminal 4, Clark International Airport and Lio Airport.
AirSWIFT’s operations now allow easier access to the popular resort island that preceded Boracay as one of the most sought-after beach destinations in the country.
El Nido, Palawan
AirSWIFT Airlines operates and manages Lio Airport in El Nido Palawan and Sicogon Airport in Carles Iloilo through its sister company, SWIFT Aerodrome Services Inc.
It is the only airline that offers daily roundtrip flights to El Nido from Manila, Cebu, Clark, Caticlan, Coron and Tagbilaran.
The northern part of Palawan province is blessed with crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and a wealth of flora and fauna.
Designed and developed as Ayala Land’s first tourism estate, Lio Beach and Tourism Estate in Palawan is a living example of sustainable, low impact, estate design that connects leisure visitors to some of the world’s most unique, most biodiverse sights.
Its beachside enclave of resorts and communities is ideal for travelers who love to explore the town by day and return to a quiet and spacious environment at night.
Located just five minutes from Lio Airport, Seda Lio offers 153 rooms and a complete range of facilities for meetings, team building events, and destination weddings. Huni Lio is a tropical bed and breakfast resort with 50 spacious rooms, a function room, all-day dining, a bar, and a swimming pool.
Lio is also the jump-off point to Ayala’s El Nido Resorts, a group of sustainable island resorts in the El Nido and Taytay municipalities. The resorts offer genuine, local hospitality, and unique and enriching experiences amidst the beautiful natural landscapes.
In Miniloc, guests can swim with the 1.5-meter jack fish and get up close and personal with a variety of marine species just at its house reef. Miniloc Island is also a gateway to discover and explore the popular attractions around Bacuit Bay, such as the Big and Small Lagoons and Snake Island.
Sicogon, Iloilo
AirSWIFT re-launched its Manila to Sicogon flights in December of 2022.
What used to be the playground of the elite in the 80s, tropical nature destination Sicogon Island is now being re-discovered and enjoyed by seasoned travelers, leisure lovers, and adventure seekers alike.
A hidden gem gleaming off the coast of Northern Iloilo, surrounded by fine sandy beaches and turquoise waters, Sicogon Island is a flourishing island community waiting to be discovered by all types of travelers.
Sicogon Island is masterplanned as a sustainable tourism development that will give rise to a mix of commercial establishments and residential communities built in harmony with nature.
Complete with hotels and resorts, retail shops, and facilities that will cater to local residents and visitors.
With its own Airport Terminal and Jetty Port, Sicogon Island will be accessible from Manila and other major tourist destinations.
AirSWIFT also helps travelers discover the natural wonders of Romblon, as it began its commercial flights to the island.
The airline currently flies to Romblon every Tuesday and Saturday.
These are on top of the relaunch of its three-times weekly Clark to El Nido and vice versa flights last October, boosting the tourism sector in both destinations. – Jimmy Calapati
