AirAsia, an Asean airline, has increased its domestic and international flight frequencies to 3,281 weekly across 10 Asean countries. The announcement was made during the 57th ASEAN Day celebration in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia. The airline also resumed its route from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Da Lat, Vietnam, with four weekly flights starting 1 November 2024. This move aims to boost tourism and economic growth in the region and reinforce AirAsia’s network.
The increased frequencies and the resumed routes are expected to significantly boost tourism by providing more travel options and flexibility. This will lead to higher tourist arrivals, increased spending in local businesses, and creating jobs in the tourism sector. In line with this, AirAsia MOVE signed a collaboration agreement with the Asean Tourism Association (AseanTA), represented by its president Eddy Krismeidi Soemawilaga, solidifying AseanTA’s support in terms of endorsement and member associations outreach as well as the Asean National Tourism Organisations towards the Asean Explorer Pass, AirAsia MOVE’s signature travel subscription product.
CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group, Bo Lingam, said: ”In 2023, AirAsia carried over 61 million guests, with more than 33 percent travelling across ASEAN. Over the years, the airline has been a transformative force in ASEAN, democratizing air travel for millions while unveiling both the well-trodden paths and hidden gems of the region’s tourism market, with about 60 percent of destinations being new and unique.
“Our expanding operational footprint, with major hubs in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia, is a reflection of our unwavering belief in the power and potential of ASEAN unity and strength as an economic bloc. We take great pride in championing the ASEAN Economic Community’s vision of creating a single market and production base. This will help reduce our costs by having common standards: one air-traffic-control system, one engineering system, open skies policy, and common ownership.”
“As an airline truly believes in bringing the world to Asean and Asean to the world, we will continue to strengthen our presence in this dynamic region that is home to over 700 million people. We look forward to leveraging our extensive network, increased frequencies, and robust operational capabilities across the region to strengthen integration and foster greater cooperation among member states, contributing to a more interconnected region. Looking ahead, we aim to welcome 75 million guests on board this year, with half of these travellers expected to come from the Asean region.”
“Today’s announcement of increased flight frequencies within ASEAN highlights AirAsia’s dedication to driving tourism and economic growth in the region. By expanding our route network and providing more accessible air travel options, we are not just connecting destinations – we are investing in the future of ASEAN, bridging cultures, and creating new opportunities for everyone,” said AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla.
In celebration of this year’s ASEAN Day, AirAsia Philippines is offering more than 300,000 domestic and international seats for as low as PHP 88 one-way base fare for bookings made until 11 August, for travels from October 1, 2024, until March 31, 2025.
