Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) — Over a year into the pandemic, the Philippine unit of regional low-cost carrier AirAsia continues to suffer setbacks from the pandemic, with passenger volume dropping 91% in the first quarter of 2021.
In a statement on Friday, its parent company AirAsia Group Berhad said the local unit only flew about 168,000 passengers in the period from 1.79 million a year earlier.
However, the firm considered it as a “strong rebound” as it was 43% up compared to the passenger traffic recorded in the last quarter of 2020.
The government continues to limit the number of international travelers entering the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from 3,000 to 1,500. In an aim to decongest hospitals, the government also reimposed modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and nearby provinces until May 14, which means only essential travel is allowed.
“AirAsia expects to see solid domestic demand in its key ASEAN markets in the next few quarters as the majority of the population receive their vaccinations and due to strong pent-up demand,” the group said.
AirAsia Group Berhad has operations in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
