AirAsia Malaysia set to return to Clark

MANILA, Philippines - AirAsia Malaysia, the biggest low-cost carrier in Asia, is set to make a comeback at the Clark International Airport next month by mounting Clark – Kuala Lumpur flights.

The re-introduction of the Kuala Lumpur – Clark direct flights starting Oct. 17 marks the return of the AirAsia Group to the former US military airbase in Pampanga after it transferred its operations to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4 (NAIA4) when it acquired Zest Airways Inc. last year.

AirAsia would fly four times a week every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday using the flight code AK between Kuala Lumpur and Clark.

Clark is the fourth destination of AirAsia in the Philippines connected directly to its biggest hub in Kuala Lumpur, after Manila, Cebu and Kalibo.

Apart from Kuala Lumpur, guests are also able to connect from Kota Kinabalu direct to Manila with flights operated by Philippine unit AirAsia Zest.

AirAsia Zest flies two times a day between Kuala Lumpur and Manila as well as three times daily between Kuala Lumpur and Cebu.

The airline recently increased direct flights between Kalibo (Boracay) and Kuala Lumpur every day from four times a week only.

AirAsia Philippines holds 49 percent stake in AirAsia Zest after a partnership agreement was signed in March last year.  AirAsia Zest and AirAsia Philippines currently operate a combined fleet of 18 aircraft servicing domestic destinations of Kalibo (Boracay), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Tagbilaran (Bohol), Cebu and Tacloban with international destination in Asia, China and Korea from Manila’s NAIA, Kalibo International Airport, and Mactan Cebu International Airport.

On the other hand, AirAsia Malaysia services the most extensive network with 88 destinations with over 150 aircraft. It has serviced over 220 million passengers since it was established 12 years ago.

Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president Victor Jose Luciano welcomed the news about the return of AirAsia as the international gateway now boasts of an expanded passenger terminal building.

Luciano said the airport currently hosts seven international and local airlines including Qatar Airways, Asiana Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Jin Air, Seair, Tiger Airways and Dragonair.