AirAsia launches Clark-Taipei flights

MANILA, Philippines — Low-cost carrier AirAsia launched its first international route from the Clark International Airport as it now offers flights to Taipei, in line with its push to make Clark its main hub in the country.

In a statement, AirAsia said Flight  Z2 5126 with pilot-in-command and AirAsia Philippines chief executive officer Capt. Dexter Comendador left Clark International Airport at 5:25 p.m. and arrived in Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

AirAsia Flight Z2 5126 to Taipei departs from Clark every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 17:25, while Flight Z2 5127 to Clark will depart Taipei at 20:25 p.m. on the same days.

“We are officially painting the skies of Clark Airport with AirAsia’s iconic color. Our return to international skies via Clark hub reaffirms our commitment to travelers in Central and Northern Luzon and Metro Manila who truly deserve nothing but only the best quality service, affordable airfare and efficient connectivity,” Comendador said.

Aside from Clark-Taipei route, AirAsia also flies to domestic destinations of Iloilo, Caticlan, Davao, Cebu and Tacloban from Clark.

“It feels so good to be back where we started. From two planes in Clark in 2012 to 20 jets as of today and we expect our fleet  to grow  to 70 planes in  the next 10 years, we are thrilled to be here again and begin another journey to serve, empower and enable every traveler to dream big and connect across Asean, Asia and the world,” Comendador said.

Comendador earlier said the company aims to make Clark its main hub in the Philippines in a bid to ease congestion at the country’s main international gateway in Manila.

“We plan to establish Clark as our main hub. Manila is too crowded,”he earlier said.

AirAsia resumed operations at the Clark Airport last March 2017 when it launched the service to Kalibo to cater to passengers going to Boracay.

The carrier first launched commercial flights from Clark in 2012.

It moved its hub in Manila following a strategic partnership with a local airline in 2013.