Captain Suresh Bangah Appointed President & General Manager of AirAsia Philippines

AirAsia enters a new era of growth with leadership transition

AirAsia Aviation Group Limited (AAAGL) has appointed Captain Suresh Bangah as the new President and General Manager of AirAsia Philippines, ushering in a new phase of sustainable growth for the airline. A veteran in the aviation industry with nearly 30 years of experience, Captain Suresh succeeds Ricky Isla, who led the airline for six years and will continue to serve as Chief Advisor to support a smooth leadership transition.

Captain Suresh brings with him deep operational expertise and a strong leadership track record within the AirAsia Group. He most recently held the role of Group Director of Flight Operations at AAAGL and has served in various key positions at AirAsia X Berhad (AAX), including Chief Pilot and Director of Flight Operations. Since joining AirAsia in 2003 as a First Officer, he has steadily advanced through the ranks as a Pilot Instructor, Auditor, and senior executive.

Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group, expressed confidence in the new appointment:
“Captain Suresh steps into this role at a pivotal moment. The Philippines remains a strategic market for us, with strong potential in inter-island travel and broader regional integration across ASEAN and North Asia. His experience in safety, operational excellence, and guest-focused service makes him the ideal leader to build on the strong foundations laid by Ricky Isla.”

Bo also acknowledged Isla’s leadership during the pandemic and post-recovery era:
“Ricky led the airline through one of the most challenging periods in aviation history. His steady leadership helped stabilize operations, support our team, and rebuild passenger confidence. We thank him for his service and are grateful for his continued guidance.”

In 2024, AirAsia Philippines carried close to 7 million passengers. As the airline charts its path forward, it plans to expand its operational fleet to 19 aircraft by 2025, maintaining a 90% load factor to meet growing travel demand. This expansion is part of a group-wide strategy to enhance the end-to-end guest experience through digital innovation and improved air connectivity across its network of over 130 destinations.

Captain Suresh shared his excitement about his new role:
“It’s an honor to lead AirAsia Philippines into its next phase of growth. I look forward to working with our dedicated team, board members, and our Group CEO, Bo Lingam, to elevate our operations and guest experience. We are aligned with national efforts to grow tourism and aviation, and we remain committed to addressing challenges such as supply chain delays, rising fuel costs, and infrastructure needs.”

He added, “With solid foundations in place, we’re ready to deepen our partnerships, enhance local aviation, and strengthen ASEAN connectivity—connecting people to opportunities, family, and new adventures.”