MANILA, Philippines - Philippines' AirAsia, the country's newest low cost carrier, launched its maiden flight on April 20, 2012 from Clark International Airport to Puerto Princesa City, Palawan with an all-in fare of P799 one way.
The amount includes base fare, fuel surcharge, processing fee and government mandated fees such as aviation security fee and VAT.
"Puerto Princesa is the gateway to Palawan's diverse eco-tourism offerings. It's one of the new seven wonders of nature which local and international tourists want to see," according to AirAsia Inc. CEO Maan Hontiveros.
The airline's new service will provide the accessibility to visit Tubbataha Reef, Honda Bay, Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center and the Puerto Princesa Underground River which has been voted as one of the seven wonders of nature.
"Air transport connectivity between the Philippines and the rest of the region is also expected to benefit from AirAsia's extensive network in the ASEAN and Asia," she explained.
"AirAsia has a route network that spans through more than 20 countries with over 75 destinations in Asia and Australia. With this connectivity, tourism and transportation in the country are expected to improve, dramatically."
The airline began serving the Filipino people last March 28 when it launched its daily flights from Clark to the tourism destinations of Kalibo (Boracay) in the Visayas and Davao in Mindanao.
"Tourists from Central and Northern Luzon and those from Metro Manila who want to be spared from the traffic of EDSA and long queues of NAIA, now have easy access to Palawan. In the same way that Palawan has a new and better access to Luzon and other AirAsia destinations across Asia and Australia," Hontiveros added.
The Puerto Princesa promo started from 16 April - 22 April 2012, and guests will be able to travel from 23 April to 31 July 2013.
Philippines' AirAsia call center also accepts booking via +632 588 9999 from Monday to Sunday at 0800hrs to 2100hrs (GMT +8) which includes a booking service fee of P310.
The first Philippines' AirAsia flight, PQ7015, left Clark International Airport at 5:50 p.m. this Friday. On board were 176 passengers including 40 delegates from the Philippine Swimming League who will compete in the first Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn championship this weekend in Palawan.
AirAsia Inc. is a 60-40 joint venture between Filipino investors Antonio O. Cojuangco, Michael L. Romero, Hontiveros,and Malaysia's AirAsia International Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AirAsia Berhad.
AirAsia currently flies to Davao, Kalibo (Boracay) and Puerto Princesa (starting April 20) daily.
