CLARK FREEPORT -- AirAsia is now flying to Cagayan De Oro from Clark, Manila, Cebu and Iloilo.
Considered the world’s best low cost airline, AirAsia, flew its maiden flights from Laguindingan International Airport, the main airport that serves the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, as well as the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon to Manila, Cebu and Clark on October 28.
Captain Dexter Comendador, AirAsia Philippines Chief Executive Officer, said the carrier's multiple flights today herald a bigger, brighter and better opportunities for travel, business and tourism in Mindanao.
"We are here to make air travel more affordable, convenient and reliable, and we are incredibly excited to paint Mindanao skies red,” he said.
To mark AirAsia’s first flight in Cagayan de Oro and to celebrate its expansion in Mindanao, the airline launched its newest flights using its brandnew Airbus A320 fitted with wing-tip devices or sharklets that enable savings of four percent in fuel consumption or corresponding to an annual carbon reduction of around 1,000 tons per aircraft.
The "sharklets" helps reduce fuel burn and emissions by improving the plane's aerodynamics.
AirAsia has a current fleet of 21 Airbus A320s from only two aircraft in 2012 when the airline began its commercial operation in Clark, Pampanga.
AirAsia flight Z2 691 piloted by Comendador, the airline’s flying CEO, left Manila’s NAIA Terminal 4 airport at 8 a.m. with 100 percent pax load and received the traditional water canon salute upon arrival at 9:30 a.m. in Laguindingan International Airport.
Distinguished guests led by Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincent Emano, Cagayan de Oro City Councilor Ian Nacaya representing the office of the mayor, Department of Tourism Regional Director Marie Elaine Unchuan and airport officer Wilfredo Encinas graced the welcome ceremonies held at the airport’s arrival hall.
“We are a member of the AirAsia Group the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, servicing the most extensive network of over 135 destinations across all Asean countries, Asia, India, Australia, China, Middle East and Hawaii in US. Our commitment is to connect the Philippines especially the underserved cities outside Metro
Manila to AirAsia’s massive network via direct or seamless fly-thru service in our main hub in Kuala Lumpur which can now be accessed from Cagayan de Oro to Cebu or Manila,” Comendador said.
AirAsia is also commencing flights from Cagayan de Oro to Iloilo on October 30, with flights every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday or three times weekly.
AirAsia’s Cagayan de Oro-Manila route operates twice daily, Cagayan de Oro-Cebu route with flights daily while Cagayan de Oro-Clark at four times weekly.
Promo fares from Cagayan De Oro to AirAsia’s newest routes are also on sale from as low as P690 for “Big Loyalty Members” and P757 for non-members. It is now available for booking until November 11, 2018 at airasia.com for the travel period starting October 29, 2018 to March 30, 2019. (PR)