AirAsia aims to expand market share in ASEAN

CEBU, Philippines — Low-cost carrier AirAsia is poised to corner a bigger market share in the vibrant air transportation industry in the ASEAN region, particularly in the Philippines.

AirAsia deputy chief executive officer (Digital, Transformation, Corporate Services) Aireen Omar said that the airline company is banking on the active travel-savvy market within the ASEAN, especially the thick median age group.

  Omar, who was in Cebu early this week, said in an interview that the Philippines specifically has huge potential for growth but frequency route expansions is always dependent on the availability of aircraft.

However, it is making sure that it sustains its bigger share in the low-cost airline segment at least in the ASEAN bloc.

 “Asean is the best place to grow our business. This remains to be our priority market. With our huge network in Asean it would now be easy for us to connect all destinations like Cebu. It’s just a matter of linking all these points," said Omar in an interview.

Strengthening its hold in ASEAN could result to increase in flight frequencies and expansion of connections in growing markets, including the Philippines.

Cebu can be a fantastic hub in the region with its strategic location. She reiterated that expansion of new routes for Cebu would depend on the availability of the airplanes.

At present, AirAsia links Cebu to Manila, Puerto Princesa, Davao, Clark and Caticlan. Overseas, Cebu is connected to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Taipei, Incheon, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Shanghai.  The Malaysian low-cost airline is also planning to increase its fleet to 22 jets this year from the current 18 in order to take advantage of promising market.

Philippines AirAsia looks forward to secure a total of 70 planes, to strengthen connectivity between other destinations in Southeast Asia and the Philippines, at least by 2032, she added.