SEPANG: AirAsia is playing a key role in helping to boost tourism and economic growth in the Asean region.
The regional airline increased its international and domestic flight frequencies with a weekly 3,281 flights across 10 Asean countries, offering more travel options and flexibility.
AirAsia Malaysia managing director Datuk Captain Fareh Mazputra, who announced the expansion, said the move will lead to higher tourist arrivals, increased spending in local businesses, and the creation of jobs in the tourism sector.
“We’ll operate 45 per cent of these flights to Asean, covering 78 routes till the end of this year.
Over the years, the airline has been a transformative force in Asean, democratising air travel for millions while unveiling both the well-trodden paths and hidden gems of the region’s tourism market with about 60 per cent of destinations being new and unique,” he said in his speech during the 57th Asean Day celebration today, held at the AirAsia headquarters here in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry.
The event was graced by Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin. Present were several Asean dignitaries and embassy representatives.
Fareh said the airline championed the Asean economic community’s vision of creating a single market and production base.
“This will help reduce our costs by having common standards — one air-traffic-control system, one engineering system, open skies policy and common ownership.
Fareh said the AirAsia Group carried over 61 million passengers, out of whom 33 per cent travelled within Asean.
Meanwhile, the airline also unveiled the resumption of its Kuala Lumpur-Da Lat (Vietnam) route, with four weekly flights beginning November 2024.
The reinstatement of the route is part of the airline’s strategy to strengthen its network and provide more affordable travel options in the Asean region.
The event, themed ‘Connected and Resilient Community’, also witnessed AirAsia MOVE signing a collaboration agreement with the Asean Tourism Association (Aseanta), solidifying its support through endorsements and cooperation with Asean tourism organisations for the Asean Explorer Pass, AirAsia MOVE’s signature travel subscription product.
AirAsia MOVE is a travel app for travellers to book with airlines worldwide, including ferries, trains and buses to complete their journey.
AirAsia MOVE chief executive officer Nadia Omer signed on behalf of her company while Aseanta was represented by its president Eddy Krismeidi.
The signing was witnessed by Mohamad Alamin, MOVE Digital (holding company of AirAsia MOVE) board member Datuk Dr Ras Adiba Mohd Radzi and Aseanta secretary-general Nigel Wong.
Several Asean countries opened up booths to promote their traditional craft and products at the Red Q, AirAsia’s headquarters, during the Asean Day celebration.
In another related development, AirAsia is offering special RM49 all-in one way fares to Alor Setar, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Singapore, Bandar Seri Begawan, Padang, Labuan Bajo, Pattaya, Vientiane, Sihanoukville, Da Nang among other destinations in conjunction with Asean Day.
The promotional fare is available for booking on AirAsia MOVE and airasia.com from today until Aug 11 2024, for travel between Oct 1 2024 and March 31 2025.
