A hero pilot who helped save passengers and crew from an inflight explosion in 1994 was appointed the new president and chief executive of the Philippine unit of AirAsia.
Philippines AirAsia said it appointed Captain Dexter Comendador as president and chief executive effective Jan. 10, 2017.
Comendador has over 33 years of experience in the aviation industry, having served as a combat pilot, flight commander and pilot instructor in the Philippine Air Force for eight years before beginning his professional career as commercial pilot in 1992.
In 1994, while serving as flight systems engineering crew of a commercial airline, Captain Comendador successfully managed an inflight bomb explosion that earned him a commendation from then-Philippine President Fidel Ramos and international media attention, inspiring stories of bravery, courage and professionalism.
Comendador opted for early retirement in 2010 while serving as chief pilot for safety and compliance at a local budget airline.
“Captain Dex brings with him a wealth of aviation experience and business knowledge. He is a Filipino hero pilot, a homegrown talent with the extraordinary ability to connect and inspire people and ideas capable of driving change and innovation in the Philippines,” AirAsia Group chief executive Tony Fernades said.
PAA currently has 13 operating aircraft servicing domestic destinations, such as Kalibo (Boracay), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Tagbilaran (Bohol), Cebu and Tacloban. They also fly to China, Korea, Macau, Taipei and Hong Kong.
The budget airline earlier reported a net loss of P1.2 billion in July to September, down by 12 percent from the P1.4 billion loss it reported a year ago.
Revenues increased 24 percent to P2.57 billion in the third quarter from P2.07 billion in the same period last year.
Malaysia’s Air Asia, through AA International, owns 40 percent of Philippines’ Air Asia Inc., while Filipinos Marriane Hontiveros, Michael Romero, Antonio Cojuangco and Alfredo Yao hold the balance of 60 percent.