Former telecommunications executive Ricardo P. Isla has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of AirAsia Philippines.
Isla joins AirAsia after more than a decade of international product development, sales and distribution experience with telecommunications giant PLDT Global Corporation. Isla, who officially assumed his role at AirAsia on July 31, replaced Captain Dexter Comendador, who has been appointed as chief operations officer.
“I am thrilled to welcome Ricky to our senior leadership team. Ricky has an outstanding track record of leading and transforming businesses, especially when it comes to increasing revenue and market share, customer satisfaction and employee engagement,” AirAsia Philippines chairman Marianne Hontiveros said in a statement. “Together with his telecommunications background and global experience, we are confident he will provide the right foundation to steer AirAsia Philippines to even greater heights.”
AirAsia deputy group CEO (Airlines) Bo Lingam said, “Ricky’s appointment as CEO comes at a time when low-cost carrier (LCC) growth in the Philippines hits an all-time high. AirAsia is on the cusp of developing something really special for Filipinos, and I’m confident that under Ricky’s guidance we will be in the best position to up the ante on our mission to further revolutionize affordable air travel in the Philippines.”
Isla graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor of Science and Business Management degree and holds advanced management qualifications from the Asian Institute of Management.
AirAsia Philippines operates a fleet of 24 aircraft deployed on more than 500 weekly domestic and international flights from its hubs in Manila, Clark, Cebu, and Kalibo.