Long-term travel restrictions are futile.

That's the key lesson that governments haven't learned in two years of the pandemic, Capital A Berhad CEO Tony Fernandes lamented.

A better and more sustainable approach would be to promote cost-effective policies such as massive and speedy inoculation of the greater population, he stressed in his LinkedIn account post Feb. 7.

“We should not ban things just to be seen as decisive. Measures should always aim to be proportionate and minimally disruptive.”

Airasia, the airline business of the Capital A Group, advocates for easing of travel restrictions as countries gear for post-pandemic recovery.

In fact, nine of AirAsia Philippines' domestic destinations (Cebu, Clark, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos City, Davao, Tagbilaran, Kalibo, Caticlan, Tacloban) no longer require RT-PCR test for fully vaccinated guests.

The exemption is Puerto Princesa City, which only require a negative Antigen test for fully vaxxed guests.

Unvaccinated minors (17 and below) are also now being accepted in most leisure destinations subject to the guidelines set by the respective Local Government Units (LGUs).

Airasia believes that two years into the pandemic, countries have improved their pandemic responses and risk mitigation strategies.

With the accelerated vaccination rates of nations across the world and the proven effectiveness of standard safety and health protocols such as proper masking and social distancing, triggering better tourism performance is highly plausible this year, the airline declared in yesterday's statement.

Furthermore, Airasia lauds the Philippine government’s plan to speed-up the vaccination of its population, with the third stretch of the nationwide vaccination program and the inoculation of minors from the 5-11 age bracket starting 10-11 February.

To date, 59.81 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 while 60.65 million got their first dose of the vaccine and over eight million have received their boosters. The Philippines targets to inoculate 90 million individuals by the first half of 2022.

AirAsia also welcomed the national government’s decision to open-up its international border with more relaxed travel and quarantine protocols for fully vaccinated returning Filipinos and foreign travelers.

This coincides with the increase in NAIA’s arrival cap to 5,000.

“We commend the Philippines’ sustainable approach toward travel," Fernandes commented.

"We can only hope that more countries in the ASEAN follow suit in strategically considering the upsides of relaxed border restrictions to their economic recovery."