True to the Filipino spirit of “Bayanihan”, exemplifying unity, compassion and resilience in times of great need, AirAsia today announced its community development and disaster resiliency initiatives to support the recovery of calamity-hit Cebu.
ASEAN WITH LOVE TO CEBU
In a video message, Allstars (AirAsia employees) from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia have expressed their deep concern and empathy among their Asean brothers and sisters in the Philippines who have experienced the destructive magnitude 6.9 earthquake, and most recently battered by Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi).
A moment of silence was offered to remember the victims of calamities and honor the heroism of rescue personnel, volunteers and ordinary citizens who have shown strength in saving lives.
Post quake, AirAsia responded to contribute logistics support for government partners through humanitarian flights among volunteers and essential rescue teams. Upon orders from the Office of the President, AirAsia flew the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) search and rescue team, along with critical rescue equipment, to Cebu the day after the earthquake. The MMDA team was among the first on the ground to carry out search, rescue, and retrieval operations in Cebu province.
AirAsia Philippines CEO and President Capt. Suresh Bangah said, “To say that it has been tough and heartbreaking is an understatement. Many Cebuanos have lost their homes, livelihoods, and, most tragically, their loved ones. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by these calamities. Recovery will not be easy but together, through compassion and collaboration, we will rise stronger.”
As part of its rebuilding efforts, AirAsia will donate PHP15 for every seat sold from November 15 to January 14, 2025 to support earthquake and typhoon relief and recovery programs in Cebu.
Through its philanthropic arm, AirAsia Foundation, AirAsia will disburse up to PHP 9 million to assist local communities through its support for grassroots organizations such as Bike Scouts, a social enterprise with more than a decade of on-ground disaster response experience across the Philippines.
The community-based, volunteer-driven organization provides critical access to information, communications and essential supplies for communities isolated by typhoons, floods, landslides and other natural events, using bicycles to reach places that are difficult to access by larger vehicles during emergencies. Bike Scouts will serve as a key community partner focusing on mobility, logistics and relief delivery to affected families. Late last year, AirAsia Foundation awarded a first grant to Bike Scouts after an intense typhoon season which saw 14 tropical cyclones impact the Philippines between August and December 2024. A grant of PHP560,000 was awarded for Bike Scouts to organize disaster resilience workshops for more than 200 responders in at-risk areas.
This current pledge aims to help the organization distribute urgent relief items, repair community infrastructure and increase the number of resilience workshops. Aside from Bike Scouts, AirAsia Foundation will also be allocating additional funds to support the work of social enterprises located in impacted areas to help rebuild community infrastructure and livelihoods.
Mun Ching Yap, Executive Director of AirAsia Foundation, said, “At AirAsia Foundation, one of our main priorities is helping communities rebuild stronger after a disaster. As the focus shifts from emergency relief to recovery in these communities, we leverage our network of social enterprises and trusted partners to connect resources with communities in need, supporting them to restore homes and livelihoods and make a meaningful difference for those affected.”
AirAsia Foundation has a long-standing record of helming post-disaster campaigns in Asean. Since its establishment in 2012, the Foundation has raised and distributed over USD 4 million to fund post-disaster relief and rehabilitation programmes, including responses to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines (2013), the Palu tsunami (2018), and the Malaysian floods (2021), among others. AirAsia Foundation also has awarded over USD 670,000 in social enterprise grants across seven Asean countries, supporting impactful ventures that address poverty alleviation, promote sustainable livelihoods, and build climate resilience.
AFFORDABLE TRAVEL OPTIONS
Bangah added, “We are also deeply committed to partnering with the people of Cebu during the rebuilding process by providing affordable travel options that can spur economic activity and aid in recovery. As we expand our network, we also continue to make meaningful journeys by uplifting the communities we serve.”
Today, AirAsia launched two international and three domestic routes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), reaffirming its commitment to boost regional connectivity and aid recovery efforts in calamity-hit areas across the Visayas and Mindanao.
The inaugural Kuala Lumpur-Cebu flight, which arrived XX ahead of schedule, was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute at MCIA.
AirAsia Philippines CEO and President Capt. Suresh Bangah and AirAsia Aviation Group Chief Commercial Officer Amanda Woo were warmly welcomed by Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia K. Chan, Department of Tourism–Region 7 Director Gelena Asis-Dimpas, alongside Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC) CEO Athanasios Titonis, airline executives and members of the media.
The Kuala Lumpur and Macao international services are among five additional routes in the Philippines added to the broader AirAsia network, which now connects travelers to over 160 destinations group-wide.
Meanwhile, new domestic connections from Cebu to Davao, Iloilo, and Caticlan further reinforce the Queen City of the South’s position as a strategic hub, offering travelers more value-driven options across the region.
“AirAsia’s goal is to accelerate Southeast Asia’s position as a global low-cost megahub,” Capt. Bangah added. “By linking our Cebu hub with Kuala Lumpur, we’re connecting Visayas and Mindanao to a broader global network spanning Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe.”
