Sunlight Air (2R | RLB) marked another milestone in its young but growing journey as a boutique Filipino airline with the unveiling of its newest aircraft — an ATR 72-600, registered as RP-C6388 — during an evening ceremony held in Clark, Pampanga on Friday, 24 October 2025. The event celebrated the carrier’s continued growth and commitment to providing exceptional, boutique-style service while expanding its route network and enhancing passenger comfort.
According to Sunlight Air Chief Executive Officer Ryna Brito-Garcia, the arrival of the ATR 72-600 marks a significant step in the airline’s modernization program. Unlike its earlier fleet composed of ATR 72-500 aircraft, the new turboprop offers improved fuel efficiency, operational reliability, and passenger comfort. “This aircraft is much more efficient operationally and fuel-wise. We also configured it to have fewer seats — just 68 instead of the usual 72 — so our passengers can enjoy a more spacious and comfortable flight experience,” Brito-Garcia shared at the sidelines of the unveiling event.
The ATR 72-600 is designed to offer enhanced performance on short regional routes, making it ideal for Sunlight Air’s operations across the Philippines’ island destinations. The aircraft will initially serve a mix of the airline’s existing destinations and soon-to-be-announced new routes, aligning with Sunlight Air’s plans to expand its network in the coming months.
“Our goal has always been to connect more travelers, both local and foreign, to the country’s beautiful island destinations,” Brito-Garcia added. “It’s important to help bring more visitors into the Philippines and spread tourism benefits to the provinces.”
Sunlight Air has recorded steady growth this year, with more than 200,000 passengers flown as of October 2025, a figure expected to rise during the peak holiday season. The airline projects a 20% to 30% increase in passenger numbers in 2026, reflecting the rising demand for leisure travel and the Philippines’ tourism rebound.
As part of national aviation policy, most turboprop operations are expected to transfer from Manila to Clark by the end of 2025, a move that Sunlight Air views positively. The airline already operates several routes out of Clark International Airport (CRK) and maintains an office there, complementing its main headquarters in Manila (MNL).
Brito-Garcia also confirmed that Sunlight Air plans to continue its Manila (MNL) – Coron (USU) route until mid-December 2025, after which its domestic operations will focus more on Clark-based routes. “We’ve always seen Clark as a strategic hub, and this transition aligns with our long-term expansion plans,” she added.
Sunlight Air intends to renew its current fleet and explore the addition of narrow-body jet aircraft by 2027, which would allow the airline to serve longer routes and expand its footprint beyond its current turboprop network.
With the introduction of RP-C6388, Sunlight Air continues to elevate its identity as a uniquely Filipino, boutique-style airline — blending warmth, comfort, and world-class service as it spreads its wings across the archipelago.