AirAsia Philippines, in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), is making significant strides in promoting the Philippines as a welcoming and accessible destination for Muslim travelers.
DOT has recognized AirAsia Philippines as the first Muslim-friendly airline for offering Halal-certified meal options on all Z2 domestic and international flights. This achievement supports the DOT’s goal of increasing Muslim tourist arrivals in the Philippines and highlights AirAsia’s dedication to providing inclusive travel experience for all passengers.
With approximately 15 million Muslims residing in the Philippines, AirAsia recognizes the importance of catering to this significant demographic.
“AirAsia Philippines takes pride in breaking barriers to travel and making our services more inclusive for all, especially for our Muslim travelers. We are very bullish. We will make this partnership stronger, bigger, and more successful. We understand that airlines play a vital role in the Halal promotion as we are one of the frontiers of consumer journey in tourism. Hence, we continue to be agile and enhance our offerings so that everyone feels welcomed and truly at home when they visit our beautiful country,” said AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla.
This January 16, AirAsia Philippines guests have something exciting to look forward to — the launch of the new menu from Santan, the airline’s in-flight F&B brand. Passengers can now enjoy the Beef Rendang with Chicken Pastil, a flavorful Halal-certified dish available onboard for just PHP 220.
This dish draws inspiration from the rich culinary traditions of the 11 tribes in the Davao region and was developed following the airline’s partnership with the Universal Islamic Center (UIC) during the Halal-Friendly Culinary Cup held in Davao last August.
To further support the Department of Tourism (DOT) in its campaign to boost tourist revenue in the Philippines, AirAsia Philippines announced that they aim to strengthen domestic routes by increasing the frequency of flights to destinations such as Cebu, Caticlan and Cagayan De Oro.
“As part of our strategy to become a Muslim-friendly tourism destination, we have ensured that the touch points of Muslim tourists in the country are properly addressed. We anticipate that the Santan menu will add even more dishes that are inclusive to our communities in the country bringing more delight to our travelers. Also, I am heartened to know that the focus of Air Asia will be on the expansion of domestic tourism in the country. This memorandum that we have signed today is a testament to the power of collaboration reflecting our shared aspiration for an inclusive and globally competitive Philippine tourism industry.”said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
In 2024, Santan served an impressive 535,000 meals, a significant increase from 480,000 in 2023, reflecting the growing popularity of its menu offerings.
Santan’s diverse menu already includes Halal-certified favorites like Nasi Lemak and Chicken Rice, alongside iconic Filipino dishes such as Chicken Inasal, made possible through a partnership with JT’s Manukan. All meals are prepared to strict Halal standards, ensuring they meet the dietary requirements of Muslim passengers while offering delicious options for all its guests.
