AirAsia Philippines rolls out Piso Fare promo

Hold on tight to that one peso. It will take you far to your desired destination and delight you with memorable experiences as Philippines' AirAsia, the country's newest low cost carrier, rolls out its Piso Fare promo for all local and international destinations including Fly-Thru service from Clark International Airport to Australia.

"This promo is a testament to our commitment to stay competitive and provide the best value for Filipinos to travel at the lowest cost but with the best quality service," AirAsia Inc. CEO Maan Hontiveros said at a press conference on July 23 in Makati City.

With the Piso Fare Promo, travellers who book via airasia.com starting today until July 29 can now fly direct from Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Macau and through AirAsia's newest Fly-Thru service from Clark to Sydney and Perth in Australia for only one peso base fare.

The Fly-Thru service offers guests to seamlessly connect on multiple flight legs, on certain flights without needing to pass through immigration, collect bags, re check-in between flights or have a transit visa. Bags will also be automatically checked through to the final destination. It also allows guests to connect from selected destinations in the AirAsia route network which spans across 20 countries and 80 destinations. All connecting destinations will come from AirAsia's transit point in LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal) in Kuala Lumpur.

The Piso Fare Promo is also offered for travellers bound from Clark to AirAsia's domestic destinations such as Davao, Kalibo, and Puerto Princesa.

With AirAsia's Piso Fare Promo, travellers will only pay one peso for the base fare excluding fuel surcharge, processing fee, aviation security fee and VAT.

"Our guests, who choose our lowest-cost flights, deserve to know what they are paying for. Having well-informed travellers is a key element of AirAsia's business," Hontiveros explained.

AirAsia was the first domestic low-cost carrier to promote the "All-in-fare" concept in February this year when it launched its first ever promo seats.

Hontiveros stressed that AirAsia, unlike some competitors, does not intend to surprise clients with small prints of add-on costs, only to find they have to pay for so many other rate components.

"In the same month that we secured our AOC in February, AirAsia sparked a revolution in air travel when we launched an all-in fare by being transparent in our promo fares. We advertise promo fares which include the base fare, fuel surcharge, processing fee and government mandated fees such as aviation security fee and VAT. No hidden charges, no misleading promotions," she said.

AirAsia continues to change the landscape of low-cost travel according to Hontiveros. With Piso Fare Promo, "planning is easiest with rates all clearly laid out to our guests so that people will know which has the best value."

"With this new promo we aim to expand the market based on informed choices and continuous exciting deals. These are part of distinguishing marks of our brand of low cost travel," Hontiveros added.

1,000 seats are up for grabs with the Piso Fare Promo. (www.airasia.com)

Rappler

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PNOY states 40 Military Aircraft to be deliver next 2 years to deter china

President Benigno Aquino III said Monday that the Philippines won't back down in a South China Sea dispute with China and that his country's military will soon get dozens of new aircraft and ships for maritime defense.

Aquino announced in his annual state of the nation address that more than 40 military aircraft – including attack helicopters and two newly refurbished C-130 cargo planes – and other weapons would be delivered in the next two years to bolster Philippine military muscle amid renewed territorial tensions in the South China Sea.

A second former U.S. Coast Guard cutter is to arrive soon from the United States, following a refurbished cutter that was relaunched by the Philippine navy last year as its largest and most modern warship.

Washington has also provided $30 million to strengthen the Philippine military in addition to helping establish a national coast watch center to help protect the country's 36,000-kilometer (22,370-mile) coastline, Aquino said.

But he stressed that the Philippines hopes to forge a peaceful solution that will be acceptable to China.

A standoff erupted in April between Chinese and Philippine ships at Scarborough Shoal, which both countries claim. The territory is called Huangyan Island in China and Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines. Aquino withdrew his country's ships from the area last month as tensions with Beijing escalated, but Chinese government ships have stayed.

Some Philippine lawmakers have suggested that the Aquino administration tone down its rhetoric and quietly negotiate a compromise with China. A senator has described the lopsided feud as a clash between a mosquito and a dragon.

"There are those who say that we should let Bajo de Masinloc go. We should avoid the trouble," Aquino said in his nationally televised speech before Congress. "But if someone entered your yard and told you he owned it, would you agree? Would it be right to give away that which is rightfully ours?"

"I do not think it excessive to ask that our rights be respected, just as we respect their rights as a fellow nation in a world we need to share," Aquino said, referring to China.

Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei also have conflicting claims in the South China Sea. Many fear the resource-rich and busy waters could spark Asia's next major armed conflict.

China, meanwhile, on Monday named the mayor and other officials of a new city it established last month under its southernmost Hainan province to administer all the disputed territories it claims in the South China Sea, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xiao Jie was named mayor of Sansha city, which will have a military presence, Xinhua said.

Vietnam and the Philippines have protested the city's establishment.

About 6,000 police officers were deployed to secure the House of Representatives, where Aquino spoke, and nearby roads. Several people were injured when riot police clashed with thousands of left-wing and trade union protesters who were seeking higher wages, land reform and a halt to alleged human rights violations.

AP

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