AirAsia, the leading airline in the ASEAN region, has announced a major expansion of its domestic and international flight frequencies, now offering 3,281 flights weekly across 10 ASEAN countries. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing tourism and economic growth throughout the region. The announcement was made during the 57th ASEAN Day celebration, held at AirAsia RedQ in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia (MOFA).
A highlight of the announcement is the resumption of AirAsia’s route from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Da Lat, Vietnam, starting November 1, 2024, with four weekly flights. Da Lat, renowned for its cool climate, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, is a key destination in Vietnam. This route reinstatement is part of AirAsia’s broader strategy to strengthen its network and offer more affordable travel options within ASEAN.
The increased flight frequencies and the resumption of key routes are expected to significantly boost tourism by offering more travel choices and greater flexibility. This will likely lead to a rise in tourist arrivals, increased local spending, and job creation in the tourism sector. To support this initiative, AirAsia MOVE has signed a collaboration agreement with the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA), represented by its president Eddy Krismeidi Soemawilaga. The partnership will promote the ASEAN Explorer Pass, AirAsia MOVE’s signature travel subscription product, with endorsement and outreach from ASEANTA’s member associations and ASEAN National Tourism Organizations.
Bo Lingam, CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group, shared: “In 2023, AirAsia flew over 61 million guests, with more than 33% traveling across ASEAN. The airline has played a transformative role in the region, making air travel accessible to millions while uncovering both popular and lesser-known destinations. Approximately 60% of these destinations are unique, contributing to the richness of the ASEAN tourism market.
“Our growing presence in key hubs across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia underscores our commitment to ASEAN unity and economic strength. We are proud to support the ASEAN Economic Community’s vision of a single market and production base, which will help reduce costs through common standards such as a unified air-traffic-control system, an open skies policy, and common ownership frameworks.”
“As an airline dedicated to connecting ASEAN with the world, we will continue to expand our reach in this dynamic region of over 700 million people. We aim to leverage our extensive network, increased flight frequencies, and strong operational capabilities to enhance regional integration and cooperation among member states. Our goal is to welcome 75 million guests on board this year, with half of them coming from the ASEAN region.”
Ricky Isla, CEO of AirAsia Philippines, added: “Today’s announcement of increased flight frequencies within ASEAN underscores AirAsia’s commitment to driving tourism and economic growth in the region. By expanding our route network and making air travel more accessible, we are not just connecting destinations—we are investing in ASEAN’s future, fostering cultural exchange, and creating new opportunities for everyone.”
In celebration of ASEAN Day, AirAsia Philippines is offering over 300,000 domestic and international seats at a special rate, with fares as low as PHP 88 one-way base fare. The promotion is available for bookings made until August 11, for travel between October 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
