AirAsia to open Mindanao flights next month

AirAsia Philippines is flying to key Mindanao cites next month, part of plans to gradually restore its network despite the unfolding health crisis.

The budget carrier, part of Malaysia’s AirAsia Group, said it would fly to General Santos and Zamboanga on Oct. 25 and Oct. 27, respectively.

“Despite the current health situation, AirAsia continues to push for domestic connectivity to provide a much needed boost for economic activity in the country, especially in the south,” AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricardo Isla said in a statement.

“We are committed to launching more destinations and gradually restoring our strong domestic network before the year ends,” he added.

Carriers such as AirAsia are among the business sectors badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Travel restrictions and weak demand forced the three major airlines in the Philippines to post heavy losses in the first semester of 2020, mirroring the downturn globally.

Along with Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, AirAsia is also seeking the government’s assistance in securing emergency loans to survive the crisis.

Even then, the domestic airline sector is slowly rebuilding its network despite travel restrictions.

By the end of September 2020, AirAsia Philippines would have opened key routes from Manila to Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Kalibo, Caticlan, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo and Tacloban. INQ