BUDGET carrier AirAsia Philippines would like to increase its newly launched flights to Bacolod from Manila and further expand the West Visayan service via Clark and Cebu.
Ricardo Isla, the company’s president, said the demand for air services to Bacolod is immense, given the vibrancy of the market in terms of business and tourism.
“We want to fly the same frequency as the same provinces that we have opened, which is at four times daily, so that’s eight flights per day,” he said on Sunday.
Isla noted that his group is limited by the slotting in Manila and, as such, is studying the possible mounting of Bacolod flights via Clark and Cebu.
“We will study Cebu-Bacolod and Clark-Bacolod flights. Bacolod is very promising considering positive signs of advanced booking—that is an option for the future,” he said.
For the rest of the year, the airline has already seen around 20 percent of its Manila-Bacolod flights booked.
AirAsia Philippines launched on Sunday its thrice-daily flights. Bacolod is the 12th domestic destination of AirAsia Philippines.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia noted that with the entry of AirAsia Philippines into the city, tourism is expected to grow.
“Having more players in the game will always be healthy for the consumers,” he said. “We are expecting AirAsia to be a game changer for Bacolod.”