The World’s Best Low Cost Airline flew its maiden flights from Laguindingan International Airport, the main airport that serves the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, as well as the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao to Manila, Cebu and Clark.
AirAsia Philippines CEO Captain Dexter Comendador said, “AirAsia’s multiple flights today herald a bigger, brighter and better opportunities for travel, business and tourism in Mindanao. We are here to make air travel more affordable, convenient and reliable, and we are incredibly excited to paint Mindanao skies red.”
To mark AirAsia’s first flight in Cagayan de Oro and to celebrate its expansion in Mindanao, the airline launched its newest flights using its brandnew Airbus A320 fitted with wing-tip devices or sharklets that enable savings of 4% in fuel consumption or corresponding to an annual carbon reduction of around 1,000 tons per aircraft. The “sharklets” helps reduce fuel burn and emissions by improving the plane’s aerodynamics.
AirAsia has a current fleet of 21 Airbus A320s from only two aircraft in 2012 when the airline began its commercial operation in Clark, Pampanga.
AirAsia flight Z2 691 piloted by the airline’s flying CEO Captain Dexter Comendador left Manila’s NAIA Terminal 4 airport at 8:00AM with 100% pax load and received the traditional water canon salute upon arrival at 9:30AM in Laguindingan International Airport.
Distinguished guests led by Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincent Emano, Cagayan de Oro City Councilor Ian Nacaya representing the office of the mayor, Department of Tourism Regional Director Marie Elaine Unchuan and airport officer Wilfredo Encinas graced the welcome ceremonies held at the airport’s arrival hall.
“We are a member of the AirAsia Group the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, servicing the most extensive network of over 135 destinations across all Asean countries, Asia, India, Australia, China, Middle East and Hawaii in US. Our commitment is to connect the Philippines especially the underserved cities outside Metro Manila to AirAsia’s massive network via direct or seamless fly-thru service in our main hub in Kuala Lumpur which can now be accessed from Cagayan de Oro to Cebu or Manila,” Comendador said.
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