PHILIPPINES AirAsia Inc. yesterday said its passenger volume dropped 9 percent in first quarter this year from the same period last year as operations halted starting mid-March due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Data released by AirAsia Bhd showed its Philippine unit flew 1.8 million passengers in the first quarter from 1.97 million passengers in the same period last year.
“AirAsia (Philippine) capacity reduced by 1 percent year-on-year as domestic routes and international routes were halted beginning mid-March 2020.” the company said.
Philippines AirAsia’s load factor was solid at 84 percent in the first quarter despite the suspension though this is 7-percentage point lower than the 91 percent recorded in the same quarter last year.
Flights in both domestic and international destinations remain suspended until May 15 following the extension of the the community quarantine period in Luzon and parts of the country.
AirAsia is making provisions for guests affected by the flight cancellations and travel restrictions following the government’s latest directive.
At the end of first quarter this year, AirAsia Group had announced a temporary fleet hibernation across its air operator’s certificate in view of the COVID-19 pandemic causing large-scale border restrictions in many countries.
“The effort to assist in containing the spread of COVID-19 is in line with the movement and travel restrictions imposed by governments of the markets that the Group flies to. While the safety and well-being of passengers and employees remain the highest priority, AirAsia continues to proactively assess the situation and is prepared to gradually resume its flights as soon as possible,” AirAsia Bhd said.
