TACLOBAN CITY — AirAsia Philippines and the Provincial Government of Leyte have reaffirmed their longstanding partnership to make air travel more accessible and to further boost tourism and economic development across the Eastern Visayas region.
In a symbolic show of unity, Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla, Tourism Consultant Frances Ann Petilla, and other provincial officials welcomed AirAsia Philippines, led by President and CEO Suresh Bangah, to the Leyte Provincial Capitol. The event highlighted more than a decade of collaboration that has helped reshape regional air travel since AirAsia began flying to Tacloban in 2009.
“Leyte holds a special place in the heart of AirAsia,” said Bangah. “Our partnership has endured even the most difficult times—most notably during Typhoon Yolanda. Through it all, our commitment to offer affordable and accessible flights for Eastern Visayas has never faltered.”
Today, AirAsia operates 28 flights weekly between Manila and Tacloban, playing a vital role in connecting the region to the rest of the country.
To celebrate its continued service, AirAsia is launching special one-way fares to and from Tacloban starting at just ₱516. This is the airline’s 11th major seat sale for early 2025. The promo runs until July 3, 2025, and is valid for travel from July 2, 2025, to March 31, 2026.
“Every flight matters—especially to the people of Leyte,” Bangah added. “Whether it’s for business, leisure, or reconnecting with loved ones, AirAsia is proud to provide world-class, low-cost travel that empowers communities. Even with infrastructure work like the ongoing San Juanico Bridge repairs, we remain committed to keeping Leyte connected.”
Governor Petilla praised AirAsia’s vital role in promoting the province as a tourism destination:
“Leyte is more than just Kalanggaman Island. We have many hidden gems waiting to be discovered. We want tourists to know that there’s so much more here—and we know that AirAsia is the partner we can count on to make that happen,” he said.
Reflecting on the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013, local officials expressed deep gratitude for AirAsia’s swift response and humanitarian aid. The airline was among the first to resume operations after the storm, offering 250,000 free seats to affected families and raising nearly ₱100 million through the AirAsia Foundation to help build new homes in Tacloban.
Tourism Consultant Anne Petilla recalled, “We’ll never forget what AirAsia did for us during Yolanda. They sent two aircraft immediately for humanitarian missions. Those flights helped hundreds of Taclobanons relocate to Manila to find work and support their families while our city was rebuilding.”
Now crowned for the 16th consecutive year as the world’s best low-cost airline by Skytrax, AirAsia continues to anchor its growth not just in profits but in purpose—uplifting lives, strengthening local economies, and making air travel a reality for more Filipinos.
As Leyte charts its tourism vision for the years ahead, the province has found a dependable ally in AirAsia. Or, as Governor Petilla puts it, “When the time comes and we’re ready to welcome the world, there’s only one airline we’ll call our partner—and that’s AirAsia.”