Bangsamoro Airways to Commence Operations in the Philippines, Enhancing Regional Connectivity

Bangsamoro Airways is set to launch its revenue operations on April 24, aiming to significantly improve connectivity within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), located in the southwestern part of Mindanao Island. The airline will initially operate flights from Cotabato City to Zamboanga and Jolo (Sulu), catering primarily to government officials, medical workers, and investors.

The new airline, owned by a consortium of Filipino and Malaysian businesspeople under the holding company Federal Airways Inc., plans to address the logistical challenges posed by the long travel times and difficult routes between Cotabato City and the region’s many islands and remote townships. This has historically hampered the effective delivery of essential services, according to Mohammad Pasigan, chairman of the Bangsamoro Board of Investments.

Bangsamoro Airways will operate with a fleet that includes a ten-passenger BN-2 (registered RP-C2138, msn C445) and a six-passenger Piper PA-23 Aztec, both sourced from FliteIine Aviation—a Bulacan-based flight training school that also offers aerial taxi services. These aircraft are already adorned in the airline’s livery, as showcased in images released by the BARMM government during the official announcement.

By facilitating more efficient air travel across the region, Bangsamoro Airways is poised to play a crucial role in enhancing the accessibility of government and healthcare services, thereby supporting the region’s development and integration within the broader national framework.