AirAsia Launches Clark-KL Flights

MANILA, Philippines --- Philippines’ AirAsia, the country’s newest low cost carrier, last week launched its first international flight from Clark International Airport, Pampanga to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The new daily route complements Malaysia AirAsia’s existing Kuala Lumpur – Clark-Kuala Lumpur morning flights which have been in operation since 2005.

“The additional frequency to Kuala Lumpur provides yet another link for Filipinos and Malaysians in the areas of business and tourism,” announced AirAsia Inc. CEO Maan Hontiveros.

Tourist arrivals in ASEAN alone reached almost 74 million last year, with Malaysia getting the biggest share or one-third of these arrivals or 24.5 million against the Philippines’ 3.5 million. Thailand ranked second with 15.9 million tourist arrivals followed by Singapore with 11.6 million, Indonesia with 7 million and Vietnam with 5 million.

Of the tourists who arrived in the ASEAN region, 47% came from within ASEAN. Visitors from EU accounted for around 10% of the arrivals, and those from China around 7%.

“We want to draw tourists from Malaysia to our beaches and natural wonders in Puerto Princesa, Kalibo, Davao and Central Luzon. If we are able to draw even a fraction from Malaysia’s 24.5 million tourists, this will mean more jobs, more food on the table, more opportunities for every Filipino,” she explained.

The newest low-cost Filipino carrier will operate the new route with brand new Airbus A320.

AirAsia services the most extensive network with over 152 routes covering over 77 destinations across Asia and Australia.

Within just 10 years of operation, AirAsia Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia combined have carried 140 million guests.

AirAsia Inc. is a 60-40 joint venture between Filipino investors Antonio O. Cojuangco, Michael L. Romero, Hontiveros and Malaysia’s AirAsia International Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AirAsia Berhad. (EVA)

Sourced: mb