AirAsia has unveiled plans to launch flights to Davao, Philippines with a four times weekly direct service from Kuala Lumpur commencing on December 21.
 
Operated exclusively by AirAsia Berhad (flight code AK), the new route will become the fourth direct route from Malaysia to the Philippines after Manila, Cebu and Kalibo. AirAsia also connects guests to other cities in the Philippines including Clark, Manila, Caticlan, Kalibo, Tacloban, Palawan, Cebu and Tagbilaran.
 
The route was announced earlier today in conjunction with the Davao Investment Conference 2017.
 
The event was attended by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, and AirAsia Philippines CEO Captain Dexter Comendador.
 
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said: “We see Davao City as a major point of growth in the international market, especially with agriculture being the city’s largest industry. Our aim for the city is also to grow it to become a hub for financial, tourism, service and education in Mindanao. The introduction of the direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Davao could not be more timely and is a key step in this direction to empower local players across various economic activities.”
 
AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, who was one of the speakers at the conference said, “Davao has a special place in my heart. It was one of the first cities we flew to when we started our Philippines operations in 2012. In fact, Clark-Davao, which we pioneered, was one of the two maiden routes when we started AirAsia Philippines five years ago. Since then, we have worked to strengthen our network in Davao. In this year alone, we have launched new flights from Davao to Cebu, Palawan and Boracay, and enabled Fly-Thru via Cebu to international destinations such as Singapore, Taipei and Seoul.
 
“Today marks the start of the next phase of our commitment to Davao. We believe Davao has the potential to be the international gateway for Asean to the southern Philippines, beginning with this new route to Kuala Lumpur. We strongly support the development of cities outside Metro Manila, and we are confident that by increasing connectivity and accessibility to affordable air travel, AirAsia can help play a role in boosting economic growth in the south. We can't do it alone and we need airports to share in the responsibility, but together we can make His Excellency President Duterte’s vision of a more prosperous Philippines come true.”
 
To celebrate the new route, AirAsia's all-in-fares from RM99 ($23) one-way are available for booking from July 21 until July 30 for the travel period from December 21 to August 28, 2018.
 
The vibrant city of Davao offers travellers a mix of natural surroundings, pristine islands and beaches, unique city attractions, exciting festivals and delectable delights. Famous sites include the country’s highest waterfall, Aliwagwag Falls, that comprises more than 130 cascading waterfalls; Samal Island, an oasis located 10 minutes away from the city with white sandy beaches, azure waters teeming with underwater wildlife and a world record bat sanctuary at Monfort Bat Cave; Mount Apo, the highest volcano and mountain in the country; Tamayong Prayer Mountain, which boasts a well-manicured landscape adorned with European-style buildings set to a cool climate all year round; and more.  
 
Festival goers will enjoy the annual Kadayawan Festival, a celebration of life to give thanks for the city’s bountiful harvests, and the Pasko Fiesta sa Davao, a month-long yuletide festival in December. Foodies can savour the city’s gastronomical delights, including tropical fruits such as durian; kinilaw, marinated and seasoned fresh tuna or swordfish; pakfry, a meal made from tuna tail; and suman, a sweet rice cake cooked and wrapped in coconut milk that is best served with the Cebuano style hot chocolate called sikwate. - TradeArabia News Service