Low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines expects its domestic operations to fully recover by April next year as the government eases travel restrictions and more Filipinos get vaccinated.
At present, the airline is operating at 10 to 15 percent of its pre-pandemic capacity and is opening more domestic routes starting this December until next year to fully recover its operations.
“In April 2022, we expect to have fully recovered as far as domestic (operations) are concerned. International will follow, it will take second priority. Hopefully, international travel will be safe and back to normal by the first half of 2023,” Ricky Isla, AirAsia chief executive officer, said in a virtual media conference.
Ray Berja, AirAsia chief financial officer, said the airline’s load factor is currently at 78 percent and this will further increase to 80 percent by December this year.
AirAsia will increase flight frequencies in Cebu, Boracay and Tagbilaran by December.
AirAsia said it is strongly backing the call of local government units (LGU) to scrap the negative RT-PCR test result as a travel requirement for incoming visitors who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Isla said AirAsia together with other local airlines is in talks with the local governments of major tourist destinations including Aklan, Palawan and Bohol to ease travel requirements for fully vaccinated travelers.
Majority of the local Inter-Agency Task Forces still require a negative RT-PCR test result before entry to their provinces as part of the measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19.
“AirAsia is 100 percent behind our LGUs in calling for a more relaxed travel restriction and requirement for fully vaccinated individuals to lessen the cost of air travel. It is also one way to incentivize those who took the shot and encourage more to do the same,” said Isla.
AirAsia Philippines is also pushing for a shortened five-day to zero quarantine period for fully vaccinated international travelers.
Isla, who is also president of the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines, said this move will entice more travelers from the United States and other European countries to reconsider their plans of visiting the Philippines.
Over recent times, the airline said it has implemented numerous contactless procedures including during check-in, boarding, inflight and baggage collection.
It added that 100 percent of AirAsia Philippines’ flight crew and ground staff are already vaccinated against the COVID-19. – Myla Iglesias
