Green Airlines Inc. (Philippines)

Green Airlines Incorporated also known as Green Air, is a Philippines-based low-cost carrier. It has a mixed fleet of Airbus, Boeing, and ATR aircraft. It currently flies from major airports in the Philippines, serving various destinations both domestic and international.

As Hetzair Airways Company
On August 2013, the idea of creating an airline was spearheaded by the leader of the Hetzark Group of Companies, realizing the need for improved air transportation accompanied with tourism boom among many destinations in the Philippines. The airline then operated from its headquarters at Cotabato Airport, but has no flights.

As Island Cityhopper Airlines (ICHA)
In December 17, 2017 the airline, then renamed as Island Cityhopper Airlines (ICHA), was founded and received its first ATR 72-600 brand new from ATR. ICHA initially planned to fly from its hub in Cotabato and Manila. ICHA then launched regular flights with its fleet in an all-economy configuration. ICHA was then renamed to Philippine Dove Airlines, in which they operated a small fleet of regional planes. It was renamed at least three times since.

As Green Airlines Inc. (GAI)
In September 14, 2018, the airline was renamed again to Green Airlines, with the slogan “eco-friendly airline.” Later in October 1, 2018, the first flight commenced. GAI initially has a fleet of six (6) ATR 72-600, three Airbus A321CEOs, and one Airbus A330-200.

In 2019 the airline retired its old Airbus A321 and A330-200 and replaced by the newer Airbus A320NEO, A321NEO, and A330-800N. In the same year the airline also received and operated the first civilian Airbus A400M and is operated by their subsidiary Green Air Cargo, INC.

In January 2019, GAI reacquired its former ATR 42-600 regional planes which arrived the same month.

GAI’s former A330-200 is converted to A330-200F and is currently operated by its subsidiary Green Air Cargo. Green Air Cargo later bought more A330-200F to support its growing cargo needs. Later in June 2019, GAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding to buy 15 Airbus A320-200 from Maranatha World Airways, Inc. Another 2 A320-200 was sold to GAI by CVAir, Inc.

In November 2019, GAI ordered Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 to augment its needs for long-haul to ultra-long haul routes. In the following month, GAI received its all-new Airbus A321NEO airplanes. The Airbus A350 planes was delivered the following year.

Partnership with Maranatha World Airways (MWA)
GAI partnered with Maranatha World Airways one month after its founding on October 2018, and maintains to be the primary ally of the airline.

Expansion (2020-2021)
During the start of 2020, GAI released its new livery, with its design submitted by a close associate, and was implemented to all aircraft immediately. GAI started recruiting its first pilots on the first quarter of the year 2020, after they began partnership with Airway Philippines Alliance Inc. (APA) on March 2020. During the partnership, GAI expanded its operations in Real Flight Simulator (RFS). Their partnership ended on July 7, 2020, and GAI was restructured at least two times since, emerging as the Philippines' leading low-cost airline.

GAI continues to recruit more pilots as the airline now flies on multiple flight simulator platforms, namely Real Flight Simulator (RFS), and Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network (VATSIM).

Currently the airline is headed by Hetzark Segundo, which holds the position of Chairman. John Andrei Policarpio was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on April 2020.

Continuous expansion and venture into multi-platform simulation
Today, Green Airlines Inc. is the first Philippines-based virtual airline to launch operations in different flight simulator platforms. Members can fly on a variety of mobile and PC amateur flight simulation programs, such as Real Flight Simulator (RFS), Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX), Prepar3D (P3D), X-Plane 11, and recently, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.

Destinations
Further information: List of Green Airlines Inc. destinations 

Green Airlines Inc. operates at least five hubs, namely Manila, Davao, Clark, Pagadian, and Cebu Airports. The airline can fly to virtually all airports in the Philippine island and other major destinations around ASEAN and the world.

Livery
The airline's first livery, which was released in October 2018 and was used until March 2019, consisted of a simple design; a light green tail, a small "GTG Universal" logo, and the airline titles on the central part of the fuselage. The second iteration of the livery (used between March 2019-January 2020) was a major upgrade of the first one, the green color extends from the tail to the aft part of the fuselage, following the tail's angle.

The third iteration of the livery was used between January 2020 to January 2021. It is also a major modification of the second iteration, with the aft fuselage color curved, the logos enlarged, and the release of GAI's new branding which includes new fonts and the inclusion of the 'HGC Logo' which became standard aboard all Green Travel Group's vehicles. The livery released in January 2021, which is the one currently in use, is a minor upgrade of the 2020 livery, with some text replaced and the overall appearance of the aircraft became simpler.

The airline released the official livery for 2022 and they are expected to repaint all aircraft to the new livery and branding by January 2022.

Accidents and Incidents
Green Air Flight 7

Green Airlines Flight 7 (ATR 72-600, GL007/GWP007) is a scheduled commercial flight which stalled and undershot the runway at the Airport on October 7, 2018, seven days after the launch of the airline. All the landing gears broke down. There were neither casualties nor injuries, and the plane, RP-C7303, bearing the HGC livery, was subsequently repaired and returned to service.

Green Airlines Flight 455

Green Airlines Inc. Flight 455 (Airbus A320-200, GR455/GAI75DF) is a scheduled commercial flight which stalled and undershot the runway at the Mactan Cebu International Airport on September 17, 2019. The nose landing gear were damaged. There were neither casualties nor injuries to the 164 passengers, and the plane, RP-C9115, was subsequently repaired and returned to service.