AirAsia launches Davao, Kalibo flights

The local unit of Malaysia’s AirAsia unveiled Wednesday its initial foray into the fiercely competitive budget airline market in the Philippines, launching two scheduled services to popular domestic destinations.

In a statement, AirAsia Philippines said it would fly to Davao from its hub at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Pampanga, starting March 28, 2012. The announcement comes a week after the airline announced its Clark to Kalibo service, in time for the expected summer tourist peak season in Boracay.

“We are thrilled and excited to offer an opportunity for both local and international tourists to experience and explore Davao, one of the most alluring gateways to the Philippines, by offering daily flights from our hub in Clark at all-in low fares,”  said AirAsia Inc. CEO Marianne Hontiveros in a statement.

From Clark, AirAsia is offering a P599 “all in” fare from Clark to Kalibo and P799 from Clark to Davao.

The company describes this as “one of the lowest offers in the market.” These “all in” offers include base fares, fuel surcharges, aviation security fees, processing fees and VAT.

“The reaction to our all-in fare revolution promo is overwhelming,” Hontiveros said. “We are currently the only local carrier that offers all-in promo fares.”

To complement the flight bookings, passengers may also tap AirAsiaGo, which offers hotel packages from as low as P3,289 for a four-day, three-night hotel stay with return flights in Davao and Kalibo.

In a partnership with travel website Expedia, AirAsiaGo has more than 145,000 hotel partners worldwide.