AirAsia defers Macau, Palawan flights over ‘volatile’ oil prices

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Citing “volatile oil prices and the growing demand for foreign tourism,” Philippines’ AirAsia announced on Monday that it would suspend flights to Macau and Puerto Princesa and re-align its services with two new flights to Singapore and Taipei in December.

AirAsia, in a statement said, it will fly from Clark International Airport to Singapore starting December 1 and Taipei on December 15 and will add frequencies to Hong Kong.

But the Clark, Pampanga-based low-cost carrier said it would suspend its services to Macau and Puerto Princesa and would also reduce its flights to Davao and Kalibo.

“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 3 months or an option to change their flight date without any costs, subject to availability,” it said.

“An email will also be sent to the affected guests’ registered member email account where they are able to select their preferred service recovery option. Affected guests will also receive an SMS notification of the flight changes,” it added.

Guests who do not receive any notification after three weeks are advised to tweet AirAsia at twitter.com/AskAirAsia, or  via Live Chat, submit an Online Feedback Form or walk in to any of AirAsia’s Travel Service Centers located in SM North Edsa in Quezon City, in Mall of Asia in Pasay City, in Angeles City, Pampanga.

With two new international routes, AirAsia Inc. CEO Maan Hontiveros said they hope to bring in-bound tourists to the Philippines who would in turn “help contribute to tourism dollar revenues.”

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. has said that the number of foreign visitors who came to the country from January to June this year rose to 2.1 million or 11.68 percent higher compared to 2011’s 1.9 million visitors.

“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,” Hontiveros said.

“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 DoT in promoting the country abroad,” she added.