AirAsia Philippines and Philippine Airlines (PAL) are gearing up for the expected surge in passengers on their flights during the All Souls' Day break next week.
In a statement on Tuesday, Oct. 22, AirAsia said it expects some 75,000 passengers to fly with AirAsia during the holiday, while PAL projects "a large volume" of travelers.
AirAsia said that it will activate 24/7 customer service help desks at the NAIA Terminal 2, as well as major provincial airports such as Cebu, Boracay (Caticlan), Davao, and Puerto Princesa.
“It has been AirAsia Philippines’ long tradition to provide further support to our guests during special peak celebration periods where they are expected to travel to reunite with their family, relatives, and friends in the provinces," said AirAsia Philippines Chief Executive Officer Ricky Isla.
"Next to celebrating Christmas, Filipinos take the time to visit the tombs of their departed loved ones to pay respect. Through our 'alwaysREADY' programs, we intend to make our guests feel AirAsia’s personal touch in ensuring that they travel conveniently, safely and on-time,” he added.
The low-cost carrier also said that help desks will be ready to assist guests who may be affected by incoming Typhoon Kristine.
"For any flight disruption, such as but not limited to weather disturbance, AirAsia Customer Service Desk is [always ready] to provide Standard Recovery Options (SROs) for impacted guests including alternate travel options," it said. This includes free flight changes, credit account, full refunds, and hotel bookings.
Meanwhile, AirAsia expects to further sustain the appetite for travel with fuel surcharge costs to remain at Level 4 for the month of November. A level 4 means that tickets purchased for next month will incur an additional surcharge of P117 to P342 for domestic flights and from P385.70 to P600 for international flights, depending on the distance.
Meanwhile, PAL reminded its passengers with travel tips to ensure a smoother journey. This includes checking the flight status beforehand, checking in online, staying within their chosen baggage allowance, and checking travel documents prior to travel.
For international trips, the company said travelers must ensure their passports are valid and that they obtain a valid visa to their destinations.