DEFUNCT AIRLINES -Royal Air Philippines ceased all scheduled commercial passenger operations on January 4, 2026

Royal Air Philippines ceased all scheduled commercial passenger operations on January 4, 2026, amid financial struggles and potential Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. Founded in 2002 and operating passenger flights since 2017, the Manila-based carrier cancelled all flights, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. The airline primarily served domestic routes and regional international destinations like China, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

 

Effective Date: All commercial passenger flights ended on January 4, 2026.

Reason for Closure: The airline cited low travel demand, specifically from China and South Korea, following the pandemic and increased geopolitical tensions.

Impact: Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 passengers with bookings through March 2026 were affected.

Future Operations: While passenger flights have stopped, reports indicate the company might continue with cargo or charter services.

Status: The airline is currently undergoing liquidation, though there were earlier mentions of a potential, but uncertain, restart.

Royal Air Philippines, which transitioned into a low-cost carrier, saw a drop in international passengers from over 100,000 in 2023-2024 to 51,800 in 2025.

 Photos: Royal Air Philippines