AirAsia increases local flights amid COVID-19 threat

ANGELES, Pampanga - Budget carrier Philippines AirAsia was adding more local flight destinations in a bid to boost domestic tourism and offset the impact of reduced international travel amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

In a press briefing, Philippines AirAsia CEO Ricky Isla announced that the airline was adding two more domestic destinations this year on top of the recently launched General Santos and Zamboanga routes going to and from Clark International Airport.

Isla, however, declined to disclose the two new destinations as discussions with local governments were still ongoing.

“Our efforts, especially in the domestic scene, are in support of the Department Of Tourism’s push for a more vibrant local tourism,” he said.

The airlines sector expected around 25 to 30 percent in foregone revenue due to travel bans to and from China, Hong Kong, Macau, as well as South Korea amid the COVID-19 epidemic.

With the virus threat on its business, Isla said, “The most important thing is to put focus on domestic [tourism].”

“We think, we strengthened our position. Even last year, we saw a lot of potential in domestic tourism, and that’s a big source of our growth for this year,” he said.

AirAsia was also lowering its fares by 20 to 30 percent to encourage local travelers to fly.

“People are afraid to travel so we are giving them low fares. We want people to afford to travel the domestic areas,” Philippines AirAsia Chief Commercial Officer Gilbert Simpao said.

AirAsia, which has four hubs in the country, flies to Manila, Davao, Cebu, Kalibo, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Puerto Princesa, and Clark.

It also had 13 international destinations from Manila in the Philippines, including Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Bangkok, Bali, Seoul, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macau and Ho Chi Minh City. — DVM, GMA News