Royal Air Philippines (RW) is set to cease its commercial airline operations in early January 2026, according to a letter allegedly issued by the company’s top executive that recently surfaced on a local aviation forum.
The letter, attributed to Royal Air Philippines Chief Executive Officer Eduardo Novillas, was addressed to the airline’s General Sales Agent (GSA) in Taiwan and dated 22 December 2025. In the document, the airline reportedly informed its overseas partner that Royal Air Philippines would stop all commercial flight operations effective 04 January 2026.
While the airline has yet to release an official public announcement, several indicators appear to support the information contained in the letter. A check of Royal Air Philippines’ official booking platform shows that flights are only available for purchase up to 03 January 2026. This applies to both domestic and international routes, including Manila (MNL) – Caticlan (MPH) and Caticlan (MPH) – Taipei (TPE), two of the airline’s more notable services in recent months.
The limited booking availability has raised questions within the aviation community, particularly among passengers with travel plans beyond the first week of January 2026. Industry observers note that airlines typically open ticket sales several months in advance, making the absence of flights beyond 03 January 2026 highly unusual unless a major operational change is imminent.
If confirmed, the cessation of operations would mark a significant development for Royal Air Philippines, which has operated as a boutique carrier offering both domestic leisure routes and select international services.
Royal Air Philippines has faced a challenging operating environment, similar to many smaller carriers in the region. Rising fuel costs, intense competition on domestic routes, and fluctuating travel demand have continued to pressure airline profitability. While the airline has not publicly detailed its financial position, we can only point out that maintaining sustainable operations has become increasingly difficult for niche players without extensive networks or strong financial backing.
In an effort to ensure fair and accurate reporting, inquiries were sent to Royal Air Philippines via email to seek confirmation and additional context regarding the reported shutdown. As of this writing, no response has been received. The lack of immediate feedback may be attributed to the ongoing holiday period, which often results in delayed corporate communications.
Until an official statement is issued, the airline’s future remains unconfirmed. However, passengers holding tickets beyond 03 January 2026, or those planning to book flights in the coming weeks, are advised to closely monitor official channels and consider reaching out directly to Royal Air Philippines or their respective travel agents for clarification.
Should the reported 04 January 2026 cessation push through, Royal Air Philippines would join a growing list of regional carriers that have either downsized or exited the market in recent years amid post-pandemic recovery challenges.
UPDATE as of 29 December 2025 at 1900H
The airline’s website (flyroyalair.com) now displays an advisory stating that it will suspend its commercial passenger operations effective 04 January 2026, and advising customers to direct their inquiries via email.
