Philippine carriers see huge opportunities in China once restrictions are lifted

Philippine carriers expect to significantly expand their China operations over the next several years and remain confident in the opportunities in the Chinese market despite a current government warning on holidaying in the Philippines. Philippine low-cost carriers - including AirAsia Philippines, Cebu Pacific, PAL Express/AirPhil Express and Zest Air - are poised to be the largest beneficiaries from increasing demand in the Philippines-China market.

In recent years an influx in charters has catered to a large portion of the growth in the Philippines-China market. But charters between the two countries have stopped operating in recent months due to a Chinese government warning against travel to the Philippines, an unfortunate politically-motivated byproduct of the dispute over the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The return of charter operations and a significant increase in scheduled flights are expected once the warning is lifted.