Low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines is anticipating passenger growth over the next week as more Filipinos book flights to popular destinations and provinces.
In an ambush interview on Wednesday, April 9, AirAsia chief executive officer Ricky Isla shared that more aviation traffic will come in during the holy week and is also projecting a higher demand compared to last year’s figures.
“I’m happy to announce there are about 100,0000 passengers just for the holy week or the seven days alone,” he told reporters.
“As a matter of fact, we have slightly increased our frequencies, meaning the aviation traffic will go up, [so] let’s plan our summer vacations by doing our advanced trips to avoid crowds,” Isla added.
According to Isla, the expected traveler count of 100,000 could reach up to 150,000, surpassing last year's total of 100,000.
He also mentioned that routes in high demand over the coming week include Caticlan, Tagbilaran City, and Puerto Princesa. Other popular destinations are provincial areas for families to visit, such as Tacloban, Iloilo, Cebu, and more.
Filipinos traveling abroad are most likely visiting neighboring Asian countries, such as Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, and Macau in China.
Steve Dailisan, AirAsia Philippines' head of communications and public affairs, attributed the high demand for travel to destinations with colder climates, particularly those experiencing the spring season.
With an expected increase in passengers next week, Dailisan reminded passengers of the new power bank policy, which states that portable chargers should not exceed beyond 100 watt-hours (Wh) capacity, while devices that are 100Wh and 160Wh will need airline approval at the check-in counter.
“It’s become a tradition for us, here at AirAsia, to provide additional support during peak travel times, especially when families, friends reunite and observe religious tradition. while we know the importance of staying connected during this time, we are also raising awareness amongst guests on the need for vigilance in proper handling and storage of power banks during their travels,” Dailisan elaborated.
AirAsia also advised passengers that power banks must be stored in the seat pocket or under the seat and cannot be placed in overhead bins or checked in.
Additionally, passengers are not allowed to use their mobile chargers during the flight.
AirAsia is awaiting review and approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) after its public advisory about stricter power bank regulations.