KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Group Bhd is optimistic about a strong recovery in air travel to all major domestic destinations, as well as the resumption of international flights soon.
The airlines reported record levels of demand for domestic leisure destinations recently reopened, such as Langkawi in Malaysia, Boracay, Cebu, and Bohol in the Philippines, and Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Hat Yai in Thailand.
The load factors for these leisure destinations have been in the very healthy range of 80-90 per cent, with more frequencies and routes to be added soon in line with consistently strong forward bookings.
As vaccination rates across the globe continue to rise, AirAsia anticipates interstate leisure air travel will gradually continue to reopen first, potentially in the coming weeks.
AirAsia Group believes international travel could resume within the next few months, especially in the ASEAN region where inoculation rates are accelerating, and the airline is fully ready to welcome all guests with the highest safety standards.
AirAsia Group president (airlines) Bo Lingam said for Langkawi alone, AirAsia Malaysia has sold over 260,000 seats in just over a week, which is a solid testament to the level of pent up demand for domestic travel.
"Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic has delivered an unprecedented blow to the global aviation and tourism industries for the past 18 months, we remain committed to making the 'air fair' once again, through our great value fares which provide a welcome boost to tourism and the economy," said Lingam.
He said AirAsia Group has been promoting countries across ASEAN and beyond to have a standardised approach, permitting vaccinated individuals to travel freely and safely between countries without quarantine or a tedious approval process.
"We remain committed to playing an active and positive role in the recovery of the ASEAN market with flight connectivity, frequencies and stringent safety measures in our operations.
"Over recent times, we have put in place numerous innovations and contactless procedures to ensure the highest hygiene standards are maintained at all times so guests can be assured of a safe and comfortable journey with us," he added.