AirAsia today launched new direct routes, with Cebu-Macao among them, expanding its regional network while reinforcing its commitment to supporting recovery efforts in calamity-hit Cebu through its ‘To the Philippines with Love’ campaign.”
The new route forms part of AirAsia’s broader network expansion, which includes five additional Philippine routes comprising two international and three domestic connections. This development strengthens the airline’s global network of over 160 destinations across its group operations.
Alongside this network growth, AirAsia continues to support disaster resilience initiatives in Cebu. As part of its rebuilding efforts, AirAsia will donate PHP15 for every seat sold from November 15 to January 14, 2026 to support earthquake and typhoon relief and recovery programs in Cebu.
Through its philanthropic arm, AirAsia Foundation, AirAsia will disburse up to PHP 9 million to assist local communities through its support for grassroots organizations such as Bike Scouts, a social enterprise with more than a decade of on-ground disaster response experience across the Philippines.
Tony Fernandes, Capital A CEO and Advisor at AirAsia Aviation Group, said: “Connectivity has always been at the heart of what we do, and it goes beyond flights or routes. As one Asean family, in times like these, uniting to help one another is not just the right thing to do, it is who we are. Our hearts are with everyone affected in the Philippines, including our own Allstars. We hope AirAsia’s contribution can bring hope, and help rebuild businesses and enable local residents to get back on their feet.”
AirAsia Philippines CEO and President Capt. Suresh Bangah said, “We are deeply committed to partnering with the people of Cebu during the rebuilding process by providing affordable travel options that can spur economic activity and aid in recovery. As we expand our network, we also continue to make meaningful journeys by uplifting the communities we serve.”
Yap Mun Ching, Executive Director of AirAsia Foundation, said, “At AirAsia Foundation, one of our main priorities involves helping communities rebuild stronger after a disaster. As the focus shifts from emergency relief to recovery in these communities, we leverage our network of social enterprises and trusted partners to connect resources with communities in need, supporting them to restore homes and livelihoods and make a meaningful difference for those affected.”
The pledge was made by AirAsia Philippines CEO and President Capt. Suresh Bangah during the receiving ceremony of AirAsia’s inaugural Kuala Lumpur–Cebu flight, which was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute at Mactan Cebu International Airport. The flight also marked the official launch of AirAsia’s Cebu hub, strengthening the airline’s commitment to expanding connectivity across the Philippines and the wider Asean region.
In Macau, The inaugural flight was celebrated with a special event at the Macau International Airport, where passengers received welcome gifts from the Macao Government Tourism Office and limited-edition AirAsia merchandise.
The Kuala Lumpur and Macao international services are among five additional routes in the Philippines added to the broader AirAsia network. Meanwhile, new domestic connections from Cebu to Davao, Iloilo, and Caticlan further reinforce the Queen City of the South’s position as a strategic hub, offering travelers more value-driven options across the region.
“AirAsia’s goal is to accelerate Southeast Asia’s position as a global low-cost megahub,” Capt. Bangah added. “By linking our Cebu hub with cities like Macao, we’re connecting Visayas and Mindanao to a broader global network.”
The new Cebu service expands AirAsia’s existing network from Hong Kong and Macao, which already includes direct flights to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), Bangkok (Don Mueang), Manila, and Okinawa.
Among recent recipients of the Foundation’s disaster resilience grants in 2024 is Bike Scouts, a social enterprise with more than a decade of on-ground disaster response experience across the Philippines, to provide critical communication access to communities isolated by typhoons, floods and other natural events. In 2025, AirAsia Foundation approved a grant for Arkomjogja, the implementer of past rebuilding and resilience programmes in Indonesia, to document lessons learnt and disseminate knowledge on the organisation’s community-driven post-disaster recovery model.
AirAsia Foundation has a long-standing record of helming AirAsia’s post-disaster campaigns in Asean. Since its establishment in 2012, the Foundation has raised and distributed over USD 4 million to fund responses to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines (2013), the Palu tsunami (2018), and the Malaysian floods (2021), among others. AirAsia Foundation has also awarded over USD 670,000 in social enterprise grants across seven Asean countries, supporting impactful ventures that address poverty alleviation, promote sustainable livelihoods, and build climate resilience.
The donation from AirAsia is in addition to the airline’s ongoing post-earthquake support for government partners through humanitarian flights. In coordination with government authorities, AirAsia transported search-and-rescue teams of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and critical rescue equipment to support emergency relief missions in Cebu.
