AirAsia Philippines plans to offer more direct flights to Boracay Island from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to help decongest Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
At the recent Boracay Business Forum, AirAsia Philippines president Ricky Isla said the airline recognizes the challenges posed by congestion in Manila.
AirAsia is looking at the possibility of opening direct flights to Boracay to offer seamless travel to passengers, he said.
Based on the profile of AirAsia travelers to Boracay, the majority are millennials and young professionals aged 30 to 39, followed by adults aged 50 and above who are seeking places to relax.
“Our records show that most of the guests come from countries like the US, China, the UK, South Korea, Japan, Germany, and Canada. It’s crucial for airlines to make travel easy and accessible for our guests so that there’s more opportunity to attract foreign tourists,” added Isla.
AirAsia also eyes mounting direct flights to Boracay as a measure of helping decongest NAIA.
As of this month, AirAsia Philippines recorded a healthy load factor of 94 percent, of which 80 percent of the total are domestic travelers and 20 percent consists of international passengers.
Leveraging on the number of flights from Manila, Clark and Cebu to Caticlan and Kalibo, an airfare which is 50 percent lower than its competitors, and a positive average monthly on-time performance of 85 percent, AirAsia said it also hopes to get the support from the international community and increase international tourist arrivals in Boracay.
Aside from attracting more international guests to the island, the airline said it is also ensuring that responsible tourism will be a top priority while promoting the island.
“In line with our sustainability commitment, AirAsia Group has avoided carbon emissions by 130,000 tonnes since 2016 through eco-efficiency practices. AirAsia has also been supporting their travel needs through our AirAsia MOVE mobile app which gives an array of flight schedules, hotels, restaurants, and even activities. However, there’s room for stakeholders to simplify and digitize processes like booking accommodations and transportation to enhance guest experiences,” Isla added.
