AirAsia brings in more passengers to Clark Airport with the opening of its three domestic flights.
Photo by Bong Lacson
CLARK FREEPORT – Budget airlines Philippines’ AirAsia has applied for permits to flyin four international destinations via Clark, three of which are in China.
This was disclosed by AirAsia CEO Marianne Hontiveros who joined the new airline’s maiden flight to Puerto Princesa City on Friday.
Hontiveros said they applied for rights to fly to Macau, Hong Kong and Xiamen in China and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
“We are eyeing Xiamen. But we may look for other areas in mainland China. AirAsia flies to places not regularly serviced by airplanes,” said Hontiveros.
“It really depends on the permits we get. We may also offer flights to Singapore soon,” Hontiveros added. She boasted that they use brand-new Airbus A-320 planes in their operations, which started last March 28.
Hontiveros said they may also offer daily flights to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia because the Clark-Kota Kinabalu flights offered by AirAsiaBerhadare “full almost daily.”
AirAsiaBerhad, a sister company of the local AirAsia firm established last year, has daily flights to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalufrom Clark since 2005.
“The flights to Kuala Lumpur offered by AirAsiaBerhad are also full daily. That’s why we want to offer second daily flights tothe same destinations,” said Hontiveros.
She noted that the flights to Malaysian cities via the Clark International Airport increased in volume shortly after Philippines’ AirAsiastarted daily flights to Davao City and Kalibo in Aklan, the gateway to Boracay Island on March 28.
“As a proof, Tony Fernandes sat on a jump seat for his return flight to Kuala Lumpur last March,” said Hontiveros in jest. She wasreferring to the AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer and founder.
