(Photo courtesy of Manila International Airport Authority)
MANILA – Despite the pandemic, low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines will continue with its plan to expand its network in Mindanao, as it will launch new routes -- General Santos City and Zamboanga.
In an interview Friday, AirAsia Philippines chief executive officer Ricardo Isla said by widening the network and providing access to more cities in Mindanao, the carrier hopes to help in stimulating economic activity, allowing businesses to recover and thrive.
Before the launch of the routes, AirAsia Philippines has mounted multiple chartered flights to both destinations, transporting passengers and cargo to and from the carrier's hubs, he added.
"As AirAsia strives to recover from the effects of the pandemic, we remain committed to serving the needs of the public by growing our domestic connectivity, and relying on the local markets as our major growth drivers for the near- to medium-term," Isla said.
Isla added that having flights in these routes is a timely response to the demand.
"Despite the ongoing pandemic, these destinations remain busy catering mostly to LSIs (locally stranded individuals) and business travelers," he said.
Three weekly flights between Manila and General Santos will begin on October 25, while flights between Manila and Zamboanga will be offered twice a week beginning October 27. The carrier is yet to announce which days these flights will be mounted.
According to the Manila International Airport Authority, Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific are currently servicing the Manila-General Santos route. Only PAL is offering flights between Manila and Zamboanga, it added.
"Eventually, we hope to boost tourism in this area when leisure travel is permitted," Isla said. (PNA)
