CLARK FREEPORT -- The AirAsia will resume its four times a week flights to Malaysia-Kuala Lumpur-Clark and vice versa -- starting October 17, 2014.
Passengers may book this new route with a base fare promo of P710 only for Clark to Kuala Lumpur beginning today.
The re-introduction of this route marks AirAsia's fourth destination in the Philippines connected directly from AirAsia's biggest hub, Kuala Lumpur, after Manila, Cebu and Kalibo (Boracay).
Apart from Kuala Lumpur, guests are also able to connect from Kota Kinabalu direct to Manila with flights operated by Filipino Low Cost Carrier, AirAsia Zest.
The all-in promotional fares start at P1,390, inclusive of taxes and fees are available online atwww.airasia.com from today, and guests are able to travel from the date of commencement which is October 17 until July 31, 2015.
Guests are also able to book seats for this new route via AirAsia’s mobile apps on iPhone, Android devices and the Blackberry 10, and also AirAsia’s mobile site at mobile.airasia.com.
This four-times weekly flights will be operated by Malaysia AirAsia with the flight code AK, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Clark, a former US Air Force base, was converted into a Freeport with many recreational parks, zoo, entertainment areas, historical landmarks and other tourist sports.
Clark also offers a great shopping experience with its Freeport Zone status. Tourist destinations in Northern Philippines such as Baguio City and La Union are also accessible via Clark.
Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) president Victor Jose I. Luciano expressed support to the resumption of the said flights. He said that this will benefit the province of Pampanga.
“Air Asia was really ours. Anyway, they will be accorded proper beat, our highest welcome. I hope that they will be able to bring more tourists from Malaysia,” Luciano said.
“The winner will be Pampanga. I remember that AirAsia started budget flights in Clark,” he added.
CIAC is ready to assist AirAsia in their operations, according to Luciano. “We are ready to assist them in any way we can so that e’ nala magkasakit keng operation da keni king Clark.”
Ronnie Tiotuico, director of the Department of Tourism in Central Luzon, said that AirAsia has contributed significantly in drawing Malaysian travelers into Clark.
“This was, as a matter of fact, why our regional office conducted a series of seminars on Halal food management precisely to cater to our Muslim visitors,” Tiotuico said.
He also urged the airline firm to consider resuming flights to Kota Kinabalu, also in Malaysia, via Clark.
“We are once again elated by the resumption of flights of AirAsia via Kuala Lumpur. Our wish is for the airline to also resume flights out of Kota Kinabalu,” Tiotuico said.
Rene Romero, vice chairman of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Incorporated (PamCham), said that this is a welcome development for the business sector and tourism industry in Central Luzon.
He said that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is already congested. “Maybe, AirAsia realized that Clark is still the best.”
Romero also urged CIAC officials to maintain quality service and a conducive airport so that “passengers and airline companies will stay in Clark.”
Mitch Otsuru, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Pampanga (Harp) president, said that the airlines’ resumed flights will greatly help business in the entire Central Luzon region.
“We actually heard about that too from CIAC yesterday when we were finalizing our Harp kiosk at the airport,” Otsuru said.
“When they mentioned that Air Asia’s KL-CRK-KL flight will come back to Clark hub, we were really excited about it because it will definitely have an impact on our tourism and business economy,” she added.
Harp is making efforts on accommodating Malaysian tourists through Halal food training and services, with the help of DOT Region 3, according to Otsuru.
Porac town Councilor Mike Tapang, president of the Philippine Councilors League (Pampanga Chapter) said this is a welcome development on the part of the provincial government.
The tourism industry in Pampanga is booming, Tapang added. “We have to promote this kind of activities to promote tourism in the province.”
Alfred Reyes, general manager of Widus Hotel, said the return of AirAsia will make a big impact to the tourism industry in Central Luzon.
When the airline suspended flights from Clark to Malaysia, Reyes said that many hotels in Angeles City including the airlines’ sister company, Tune Hotel, were severely affected.
“Tune Hotel was doing very well. They were running like 80 percent. When AirAsia left, they are really struggling,” Reyes said.
Guests can take advantage of AirAsia’s network domestically in the Philippines; and fly to Manila and connect onwards to nearby cities of Tacloban, Puerto Princessa - Palawan, Tagbilaran, Kalibo or Cebu as well.
Discover more of Philippines by downloading AirAsia’s ‘Awesome Philippines’ travel guide at http://www.airasia.com/travelguides. The travel guides are free and include essential travel information at each domestic destination such as accommodation, transport and the must-see’s and must-do’s of in the Philippines which provide travelers with a better insight into the places they are visiting.
For more updates on AirAsia’s latest news, as well as promotions, activities and contests, connect with them via Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia) or Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia).