AirAsia realigns local flights

AirAsia Philippines is realigning several of its flights as the company struggles with slowing demand and volatile fuel prices.

In a statement, AirAsia Inc. said it would start flights from Clark International Airport to Taipei and Singapore on December 1 and 15, respectively.

AirAsia Inc. is the local unit of Malaysian budget carrier giant AirAsia Berhad.

Apart from the new flights to Singapore and Taipei, the company said it would increase flights to Hong Kong, also from Clark.

However, the company said it would “rationalize” flights to Davao and Kalibo, and suspend services to Puerto Princesa and Macau.

“We need to build up routes within an infrastructure that supports low-fare services since we are in an industry that is not immune to rising fuel cost and operational challenges,” AirAsia Inc. president and CEO Marianne Hontiveros said in a statement.

“We intend to open up new international routes within these markets, as well as add frequencies on existing routes, thanks to the aggressive campaign of tourism department in promoting the country abroad,” she added.

Guests who are affected by the changes will be offered three options: a full refund of their flight bookings or a credit shell of the value of their flight bookings, which is valid for three months, or change their flight date without any costs, subject to availability.