Major international airline plunges into liquidation – no more flights | World | News
A leading airline has unexpectedly ceased all business operations after going into liquidation. After more than two decades of service, Royal Air Philippines closed earlier this year
On Jan. 4, the airline announced it was canceling all commercial flights, a development that left 3,000 to 4,000 passengers holding tickets for trips scheduled between January and March 2026 scrambling to find alternative arrangements.
The airline’s website said: “We are working to provide a refund and hope to resume flights at an undetermined date in the future. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to welcoming you on board soon.”
The airline, owned by Cambodia-registered Lanmei Group, has faced increasing difficulties in sustaining its business model as its core market of Chinese and Korean holidaymakers has diminished.
The airline’s deteriorating situation was clearly evident as international passenger figures fell to 51,800 in the first nine months of 2025, while domestic traffic fell 63% to 38,800.
This decline followed a short period of growth in 2023 and 2024, when passenger numbers rose to 100,000 and 116,000. Royal Air Philippines was founded in 2002 as a charter service and transitioned to a low-cost carrier model in 2018. The airline began its first passenger flight eight years ago, flying between Cebu and Macau.
Headquartered in Manila, the charter and cargo airline (more commonly referred to as Royal Air) received its license to operate commercial flights in 2017 and has rapidly expanded its network.
At the peak of its operations, the airline served many international destinations, including Cambodia, China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Royal Air Philippines was under the ownership of the Lanmei Group, also known as the Lancang-Mekong Group, a private enterprise registered in Cambodia and backed by Chinese civilian capital. The group was founded and is led by Li Kun, former chairman of Shenzhen Airlines.
