AirAsia expects ‘buy 1 take 1’ promo to boost 2021 bookings

PHILIPPINES AirAsia, Inc. is offering a “buy 1 take 1” promotion on all domestic and international flights to further boost advanced bookings for 2021, it said on Tuesday.

The announcement came after the low-cost airline saw a 140% increase in seats sold in the last week of August compared with the previous week’s 42%.

“A third of bookings registered were for 2021 reflecting a demand for future travel,” AirAsia said in an e-mailed statement.

The airline’s Chief Executive Officer Ricardo P. Isla said a “stronger” AirAsia can be expected as it prepares for a “busy” fourth quarter.

“We have noticed an increase in advanced bookings with guests looking forward to travel next year. AirAsia is pleased to offer amazing deals so everyone can fly affordably once travel restrictions relax. We are also prepared to increase flight frequencies, launch new destinations, while utilizing all four hubs flying to both domestic and international destinations,” he said.

The budget carrier offers one-way fares from P1,022 for two tickets.

The promotion is available starting Sept. 8 to Sept. 13 for travels from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31 next year. The promo seats are limited and subject to availability.

Customers of AirAsia who are scheduled to travel up to December 2020 can also change their flight dates for free.

The airline said health policies from local government units, civil aviation authorities, and global and local  health agencies will be followed.

It added that it continues to implement “enhanced safety measures” throughout the entire journey, which means pre-flight, in-flight, and arrival.

Last week, the airline announced it would start to operate General Santos-Manila and Zamboanga-Manila flights next month, as part of its strategy to launch more destinations and gradually restore its domestic network.

AirAsia operated four domestic flights on Tuesday between Manila and Tacloban and Manila and Cebu. — Arjay L. Balinbin