Manila-based air charter operator PhilJets Group has appointed Willyn Villarica as new CEO after Thierry Tea, founder of the company, stepped down to take on the role of chairman of the board.

Established in 2013, PhilJets has experienced rapid growth for the last five years under the management of Tea, expanding its fleet to 12 aircraft, comprising nine helicopters and three business jets.

Villarica steps in as CEO for PhilJets Aero Services Inc and PhilJets Aero Charter Corp: “I have been following the growth of PhilJets and there are great challenges facing us. I aim to continue to professionalise and strengthen the company, to bring in new ideas, develop practical solutions and develop our team,” she says.

Villarica is an MBA graduate from the Asian Institute of Management and has a successful multi-sector background in real estate, law, gemmology, F&B, micro lending, private equity and venture capital. She has been the president of PhilJets Aero Services Inc for the past five years.

Tea adds: "It's a new era for PhilJets. While I'm proud of the accomplishments PhilJets has achieved in the past five years, I feel that we can take the company to newer heights by bringing in someone who sees the Philippine aviation industry from a different point of view and at the same time has the ability to lead our management team as we go through our transition from being a young player in aviation to an emerging leader in the field of business aviation. We look forward to the succeeding years with great enthusiasm."

PhilJets hopes to enjoy continued growth by offering new services and innovative products, increasing its existing fleet and expanding its operations by opening new branches in other parts of the Philippines.

Tea will oversee the regional development and PhilJets' expansion in southeast Asia.