AirAsia Philippines Takes Off with New President, Captain Suresh Bangah
Captain Suresh Bangah has nearly 30 years of experience in the aviation industry and has been with AirAsia since 2003.
AirAsia Aviation Group Limited (AAAGL) has appointed Captain Suresh Bangah as the new President and General Manager (GM) of AirAsia Philippines.
According to a statement released by the company, his appointment comes as “the airline embarks on a new era of sustainable growth.”
“With extensive management and industry experience—particularly in upholding the gold standard in safety and operational excellence, and a deep commitment to guest-centricity and Allstar values, Captain Suresh is well placed to build on the strong foundations laid by his predecessor, Ricky Isla,” said Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group Bo Lingam.
Lingam also praised Isla’s leadership, saying that AirAsia Philippines “navigated one of the most turbulent periods in aviation history” during his time.
“We thank him for his steady leadership and are grateful that he will continue to support the transition as Advisor,” he added.
Who Is Captain Suresh Bangah?
AirAsia Philippines’ new President and General Manager expressed his gratitude in a statement.
“I am honoured to serve at the helm of AirAsia Philippines and look forward to working with the board members from AirAsia Aviation Group and AirAsia Philippines, Group CEO Bo Lingam, Ricky and the local team in one of our core markets to champion a new era of sustainable and profitable growth for the future,” Captain Bangah said.
“In this role, I am committed to leading our talented team of Allstars to elevate our operations while raising the bar on the end-to-end guest experience,” he added.
Armed with almost 30 years of experience in the aviation industry, Captain Bangah started his tenure with AirAsia in 2003 as a First Officer, Pilot Instructor, and an Auditor. From there, he went on to hold key roles in both AAAGL and AirAsia X Berhad (AAX).
Most recently, he served as Director of Flight Operations, a position he’s held since 2013, according to his LinkedIn profile.
What Lies Ahead for AirAsia Philippines Under Its New President
Under the leadership of Captain Bangah, AirAsia Philippines is entering its next phase of growth. With a goal of expanding its operational fleet to 19 aircraft, AirAsia Philippines aims to meet rising demand while sustaining a 90% load factor this year.
In addition, AirAsia, as a group, seeks to elevate guest experience through digitally enabled services and ancillary innovations. It likewise aims to strengthen air connectivity from the Philippines across AirAsia’s network of over 130 destinations.
“We’re firmly aligned with national efforts to grow the aviation and tourism sectors—from meeting rising demand for travel to supporting connectivity and infrastructure developments that will shape the future of travel in the Philippines,” said Captain Bangah. “At the same time, we remain focused on addressing key external challenges—including global supply chain delays affecting aircraft maintenance, rising fuel costs, higher airport charges, and environmental factors that can impact operations.”
“With strong foundations in place, we look forward to collaborating with our partners and stakeholders to strengthen the local aviation ecosystem, while advancing Asean connectivity to the world as we connect guests to what matters most, from education and work opportunities to family and new adventures,” he concluded.
Images courtesy of AirAsia Newsroom
