AirAsia hikes frequencies of local, international flights

MANILA, Philippines — Low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines is increasing frequencies of multiple existing domestic and international routes in high demand.

AirAsia said it has already raised since the start of the year the frequency of its Clark-Iloilo and Iloilo-Clark services from thrice a week to daily, as well as its Cebu-Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Lumpur-Cebu flights.

The carrier will also increase frequency starting March 29 of Clark-Tacloban and Tacloban-Clark from three times a week to four times a week, and its Cebu-Puerto Princesa and Puerto Princesa-Cebu routes from thrice a week to daily.

“We are pleased to welcome the new year with additional flights, offering guests more options when flying with us as they accomplish their travel goals this 2020,” AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said.

“Our adjustments are well guided by data, and I am very optimistic about the tourism boost this will bring to our country in the summer months,” he said.

Isla said the move to increase flights supports AirAsia’s vision of allowing more passengers to fly.

AirAsia Philippines operates a fleet of 24 aircraft on more than 500 weekly domestic and international flights from its hubs in Manila, Clark, Cebu and Kalibo.

The company is targeting a net income of P2 billion in 2019, a turnaround from previous years’ losses.

In terms of revenues, AirAsia Philippines is expecting a year-on-year growth of 39 percent to P29 billion for 2019.

Malaysia’s AirAsia Group Bhd has reported strong third quarter performance of its Philippine operations, which saw its share in the domestic market expand further during the period.

During the three quarters of 2019, passengers carried by AirAsia Philippines grew by 33 percent year-on-year, while load factor increased by nine percentage points to 86 percent.

Despite  intense competition in the domestic market, AirAsia Philippines managed to expand its domestic market share to 19 percent in the third quarter.

The family of Rep. Michael “Mikee” Romero through F&S Holdings owns 60 percent of AirAsia Inc., operator of AirAsia Philippines, while the remaining 40 percent are owned by Air Asia Bhd founders Tony Fernandez and Datuk Karmarudin Menarum.