Philippines AirAsia (Z2, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) disclosed during a September 23 press conference in Cebu that it plans to expand its active fleet by five more aircraft by the end of 2026, growing by a third.

The carrier currently operates a fleet of twenty-four A320-200s, but only fourteen of these are active, ch-aviation data shows. The airline did not divulge the identity or type of aircraft it was planning to add, and it is not clear if they would be entirely new aircraft or reactivations.

The LCC said in July that it would take 10 to 20 incremental aircraft within five years to drive growth. At that time, it targeted an active fleet of 21 aircraft by year-end and expected to add two to four aircraft per year from 2026 onward.

As part of its network expansion, Philippines AirAsia is basing two reactivated A320-200s in Cebu. Beginning November 15, the airline will relaunch its base in the city with five new destinations: Caticlan, Davao, Iloilo, Macau International, and Kuala Lumpur International. It previously touted flights to Bangkok Don Mueang and Puerto Princesa but has since backtracked on these plans. The LCC said that growth at Cebu would allow it to offer connectivity bypassing the congested Manila Ninoy Aquino International hub.

ch-aviation has reached out to Philippines AirAsia for comment.