Entrepreneur and C-suite leader Ryna Brito-Garcia is the founder and visionary leader of boutique airline Sunlight Air. She started the company six years ago and has been leading its innovation and business growth ever since. Her vision of providing an all-inclusive, safe, and personal travel experience has come true.
“Being young becomes intimidating sometimes, especially when you’re in an industry full of experienced people, most of whom are men,” shared Ryna when we first met her in 2021.
Ryna, being quite young when she entered the airline industry, was initially intimidated by her more experienced counterparts. However, she accepted the challenge and worked on learning as much as she could about the business. She read books on the airline industry and absorbed knowledge from others while overseeing the business firsthand.
While working in Sydney, Australia, her father expressed a desire to start an airline. Unable to find someone to take the lead, he asked Ryna to help start the project in Manila. With her Business Administration degree from SP Jain School of Global Management already completed, plus a year of work experience in Sydney, Ryna felt she was ready to take on this new challenge and assist her family.
With the assistance of their corporate lawyer, she finally entered the airline industry. After a lengthy process, their application with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines was submitted. It was only then that Ryna thought about what her position in the company should be. Since she started the company and put in the long hours, it was decided that she would continue as the CEO of Sunlight Air. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Sunlight Air is now making huge leaps forward as a domestic boutique charter airline that is service-oriented and customer-centric.
The Philippines is renowned for its white sand beaches, vibrant culture, and natural wonders. However, many of these destinations remain underdeveloped or difficult to access. Sunlight Air has played a pivotal role in bridging this gap by connecting travelers to popular and emerging tourist hotspots such as Coron, San Vicente, Siargao, Puerto Princesa, Camiguin, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro.
By providing direct flights to these areas, the airline has helped boost local tourism, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth in rural communities. Ryna and her company are also set to add another airplane to their fleet this year. This announcement, along with Sunlight Air’s new 2025 brand, has generated significant buzz among the media and industry experts.
Ryna’s story is not just about her achievements but also about the impact she had on the people around her. It’s a story of leadership that inspires, empowers, and endures—a story that will be told for generations to come.
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