Royal Air Philippines to suspend passenger flights on January 4, 2026

Royal Air Philippines announced it will temporarily suspend commercial passenger flights on January 4, 2026.

In an advisory on its website, Royal Air Philippines stated it is prioritizing refunds and ensuring the protection of all passenger rights. The airline concluded its statement writing: “Thank you for your patience and understanding. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you aboard again soon.”

Image: Screenshot from Royal Air Philippines website (January 1, 2026)

According to a report from the Philippine Star posted on January 1, 2026, Royal Air CEO Eduardo Novillas wrote in a letter addressed to Juichi International Travel Co. Ltd.  that geopolitical tensions between the Philippines and China have “muted the flight demand in Royal Air's target market.” Novillas wrote the airline is reliant on the entry of East Asians into the Philippines from countries such as China and South Korea, and bring them to domestic destinations such as Bohol, Boracay, and Puerto Princesa.

Based on data from the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), Royal Air Philippines (listed as Royal Air Charter Service Inc.) saw a sharp decline in domestic scheduled passenger traffic from 2023 and 2024. After serving 104,473 passengers in 2023, the airline served 38,845 passengers in 2024. Between January and September of 2025, Royal Air Philippines served 45,970 passengers.

For international scheduled passenger traffic, Royal Air has seen a sharp decline in 2025  after serving over 100,000 passengers in 2023 and 2024 (2023 – 100,323/2024 – 116,324). Between January and September 2025, the airline served 51,764 international passengers.

“The common explanation from our business partners is that the current interest of their locals to visit the Philippines is significantly low to obscure, and that they will contact Royal Air once the interest becomes healthy and heightened again,” Novillas was quoted writing in the letter.

As of December 2025, Royal Air Philippines' currently operates flights between Manila and Caticlan, and between Caticlan and Taipei Taoyuan. The airline uses Airbus A320 aircraft on both routes.

Established as a charter flight service on August 2002, the airline would launch its first regularly scheduled commercial flights between Clark and Caticlan in 2018. Based at Clark, the airline has operated flights to other Philippine cities such as Kalibo, Cebu, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and Puerto Princesa. Previous international destinations include cities in South Korea, Mainland China, Cambodia, along with Hong Kong and Macau. 

Image: Royal Air Philippines route map. Source: Royal Air Philippines' website 

According to planespotters.net, Royal Air Philippines operates with a fleet of 5 aircraft - 1 Airbus A319, 2 A320s, and 2 A321s. 

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