AirAsia Aviation Group Limited (AAAGL) announces the appointment of Captain Suresh Bangah as the President & General Manager (GM) of AirAsia Philippines, as the airline embarks on a new era of sustainable growth. A seasoned aviation professional with almost 30 years of experience, Captain Suresh brings extensive operational expertise and a strong leadership track record at AirAsia. He succeeds Ricky Isla, who retires after six years at the helm and will continue to serve as Chief Advisor to the GM during the leadership transition.
Captain Suresh most recently served as Group Director of Flight Operations at AAAGL, and previously held key roles at AirAsia X Berhad (AAX) including Chief Pilot and Director of Flight Operations. He began his AirAsia journey in 2003 as a First Officer, Pilot Instructor, and an Auditor, progressing to senior leadership roles across AirAsia X and AAAGL.
Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group, said: “Captain Suresh steps into this role at an important juncture. As AirAsia progresses into our next chapter, the Philippines remains a key pillar in our regional strategy—with strong potential in inter-island connectivity and broader regional integration into Asean and North Asia, among others.
“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.
“Under Ricky’s leadership, the airline navigated one of the most turbulent periods in aviation history—stabilising operations, keeping our people grounded in purpose, and restoring confidence in the brand. We thank him for his steady leadership and are grateful that he will continue to support the transition as Advisor.”
In 2024, AirAsia Philippines flew almost 7 million guests. As it enters its next phase of growth, the airline plans to expand its operational fleet to 19 aircraft—a move that will boost capacity to meet rising demand while sustaining a 90% load factor in 2025. These ambitions are underpinned by a Group-wide strategy to elevate the end-to-end guest experience through digitally enabled services and ancillary innovations, while strengthening air connectivity from the Philippines across AirAsia’s network of over 130 destinations.
AirAsia Philippines President and General Manager, Captain Suresh Bangah, said: “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. 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.”
“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. 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.”
