AirAsia Philippines has partnered with the Universal Islamic Center and Philippine Halal Trade & Tourism to promote the Philippines as a Halal-friendly destination. The partnership aims to provide Halal-certified meal options on all flights, including Filipino favorites like Chicken Inasal and Beef Tapa and authentic Asian dishes like Nasi Lemak and Chicken Teriyaki. This collaboration aims to solidify the Philippines’ position as a Halal-friendly destination.

Beyond promoting Halal meals on its flights, the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline is elevating its commitment by mounting the Halal Culinary Cup in Davao for the Kadayawan Festival. The winning dish from this event will be included in the inflight menu to showcase the region’s rich flavors and culinary heritage.

“AirAsia is proud to lead the way in providing and innovating inclusive travel experiences. We’re continuously enhancing our offerings and ensuring Muslim friends feel welcomed and truly at home when visiting our beautiful country. Through this, we hope to win their hearts and make them visit the Philippines more often, either for leisure or business travel”, AirAsia CEO Ricky Isla shares.

“Airlines play a vital role in the Halal promotion as they are one of the forefronts of accommodating and catering the Muslim consumers in tourism. Meals compliant with Halal cater to many Muslim passengers’ dietary requirements. AirAsia’s commitment and dedication to being inclusive by providing a selection of Halal meals demonstrate that traveling to the Philippines is accessible and accommodative for Muslim travelers. We thank AirAsia Philippines for their support and for making this partnership possible”, shares Universal Islamic Center and Philippine Halal Trade & Tourism President Marilou Ampuan.

According to the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board, the Philippine Halal industry is estimated to be worth $1.6 billion. This figure is expected to grow significantly, with the Philippines being home to Southeast Asia’s third-largest Muslim population and a favorite alternative to other holiday destinations in the Asean. AirAsia Philippines also hopes to reinforce the growth of the Philippine Halal industry and entice more to visit the country by spearheading innovations and programs geared towards promoting Halal.