KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 — Regional budget carrier AirAsia today unveiled plans to offer a multiple flight package to Asean destinations starting next year, in its bid to promote Southeast Asia as a regional tourism destination.
Dubbed the “Asean Pass”, the airline will offer a 10-flight pass at a flat rate of RM499 and a 20-flight pass that is expected to cost under RM1,000, said AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.
“The reason we are doing it now, is because 2015 is coming and because we now have depth (in regional coverage)... we are driving Asean as a destination,” he said at a news conference here, referring to the establishment of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) next year.
Fernandes said the Asean Pass is primarily targeted at the people who live in the 10 Asean countries — as a means to encourage more tourism within the region — and also as a vehicle to market the Asean region to international visitors.
Under the deal, which is slated for a January 15, 2015 launch, travellers on a 10-flight pass can visit 10 different destinations covered by AirAsia with no repeats over a one-month time frame.
The price for the 10-flight Asean Pass will be offered at a flat rate for all AirAsia internal charges, but excludes external costs such as airport tax at each destination.
Fernandes noted that they have yet to finalise the details for the 20-flight pass, though both packages will be available as a permanent product on offer.
