Sunlight Air is exploring direct flights between tourist destinations, including Boracay, as the domestic carrier looks to improve inter-island connectivity without relying solely on established aviation hubs.
Ryna Brito-Garcia, chief executive officer and co-founder of Sunlight Air, also known as Sunlight Express Airways, said the airline has observed passengers traveling from Boracay to destinations such as Coron, Davao and Cebu, pointing to potential demand for more direct connections.
“We’re currently studying that right now, but one that we’re focusing on is Boracay,” Brito-Garcia said at the MAP-SGV 7th NextGen Conference on Monday.
No launch date has been set, as the airline continues to assess potential routes. The proposed services would complement its existing network rather than replace current flights, she said.
Sunlight Air is also planning to increase flight frequencies on routes such as Clark next year, reflecting a parallel effort to strengthen capacity on established services while evaluating new connections.
“So it’s more of an additional connection within our existing network,” Brito-Garcia said.
The airline operates from Clark and Cebu and serves destinations including Siquijor and Tablas. Direct links between leisure destinations could give travelers more routing options, although commercial viability and operational requirements will shape which routes proceed.
Founded during the pandemic, Sunlight Air received its air operator certificate in December 2020, when travel restrictions severely disrupted the aviation industry. It subsequently diversified beyond passenger flights, carrying cargo such as medicines, live chicks and fish, while developing travel packages bundling airfares, accommodation, transfers and tours.
Those offerings now include Vacations by Sunlight Air. Brito-Garcia said the company’s 2025 revenue was nearly seven times its 2021 level, underscoring its growth since its early operating years.
For its planned expansion, the airline intends to use leasing arrangements to limit upfront capital requirements. Rather than committing heavily to aircraft-related spending, the company expects to sustain growth through its existing operations.
“It’s not necessarily large capex on our end. It’s more on sustaining it with our existing operations,” she said.
The proposed routes remain under study, with demand, network fit and sustainable operations likely to determine the pace of expansion.
