AirAsia Philippines is expanding its Cebu network with new domestic and international flights while supporting communities affected by recent disasters. The airline launched its Cebu hub at Mactan-Cebu International Airport on Nov. 15, 2025 and pledged P15 from every seat sold between Nov. 15 and Jan. 14, 2026, to aid recovery programs for typhoon-hit communities. Capt. Suresh Bangah, CEO and President of AirAsia Philippines, described the situation in Cebu as devastating, noting that many residents had lost homes, livelihoods, and loved ones. AirAsia employees from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia also expressed sympathy for their Filipino colleagues and communities impacted by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake and Typhoon Tino. The AirAsia Foundation will channel an estimated P18 to P20 million from the seat donation campaign to support local organizations such as Bike Scouts, which delivers aid and conducts disaster resilience workshops in hard-to-reach areas. The inaugural Kuala Lumpur–Cebu flight arrived ahead of schedule and was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute at Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
00:00I'm going to say, you want to be here in just a few moments.
00:04It's important.
00:05Later on, we're also welcoming our new guest.
00:08Here we go!
00:10Yes, everyone!
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00:34Thank you for a warm welcome, as always!
00:36I had hoped that there would have been a better time.
00:40However, in these trying moments like this, we all come together and just welcome each other.
00:45To our esteemed guests, Cynthia K. Mayor of Lapu-Lapu City.
00:51Delina Anis, DINPAS Regional Director of Central Visayas Department of Tourism.
00:56Cibu Airport, CAB, CAB Media Partners, and Cibu Kera.
01:02Thank you for being with us today.
01:05Your presence means a lot.
01:08After months of preparation, a big thank you to Cibu Airport for all the assistance.
01:14The day is finally here.
01:17Although today is a beautiful milestone for Cibu Airport, I would like to think today as we are flying stronger with Cibu.
01:27The past few weeks have been tough. Earthquakes, then typhoons.
01:33Many families are still mourning, trying to get back on their feet.
01:39Our hearts and prayers goes out to every Cibuano.
01:45AirAsia remains committed to helping rebuild Cibu.
01:50And as part of the rebuild it effort, we are working with our homegrown organization, AirAsia Foundation, to reach out to new people, deliver it faster, create a lasting and meaningful impact.
02:05Circling back to the team flying stronger with Cibu, reaffirms AirAsia commitment to support Cibu's growth, tourism, and people.
02:16And to all our AirAsia all-stars here in Cibu, please know that we stand with you.
02:24We will continue to support and rebuild together. Thank you.
02:32Maybe two, three messages from my side.
02:34First of all, I want to thank you, everyone, especially you AirAsia, for doing this job.
02:39We worked months ago, right?
02:42And finally we did it.
02:44So you are here.
02:45And as you said in your speeches before, we need that.
02:49We need that more than ever.
02:51Because we need to send out a positive message to the world.
02:56And what could be the best marketing activity that we are launching at AirAsia?
03:01Thank you for that.
03:02Thank you for that.
03:06By asking you to be on the stage, I have to give you one message.
03:09A important, very important milestone for us on our way to become the main transfer gateway for tourism in Philippines.
03:19Again, I want to remind you, I do that in every event with AirAsia.
03:24But maybe I can take a number if I'm allowed to say we have already transferred passengers, right?
03:30On this flight, the first flight coming from KL, we have transferred passengers to Davao.
03:36And if I'm not mistaken, 11.
03:38So which is almost 10% of the, I don't know, less than 10% of the total load of the factory.
03:43So, which is a great message for us.
03:45We are moving forward with our gateway to be the main tourism gateway in Philippines.
03:52And finally, last word from my side.
03:55Just thank you that you're being here.
03:57That's, that's what, this is a nice moment as airport operator.
04:00Thank you very much.
04:01To us from each booking to bring a light of hope in every recovery.
04:06Everflies come and be willing to rise in our community.
04:10Your resident family at AirAsia stands with you.
04:13We will fly stronger together.
04:16Thank you very much.
04:19Hello, everyone.
04:20Welcome to Lapu Lapu, Cebu.
04:21To Captain Suresh Bangga.
04:27To, together with his staff, visited my office.
04:33in my office, I think a month ago, and this is Amanda Wu, I just met, but you're the CEO, COO of AirAsia Group, of course, Mr. Thanos, with your impromptu speech, RD, the Regional Director of our Department of...
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