AirAsia Philippines, the low-cost carrier based in Manila, has faced some challenges in the first half of 2023 due to natural occurrences such as bird strikes and lightning alerts at its home base. However, the airline has managed to maintain a positive on-time performance (OTP) of 81% in the same period, showing its resilience and commitment to its passengers.
What are bird strikes and lightning alerts?
Bird strikes are collisions between birds and aircraft that can cause damage to the aircraft or even endanger the safety of the flight. According to data from the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP), local carriers reported 107 bird strike incidents in the first half of 2023, resulting in varying levels of impact and aircraft damage, as well as schedule disruptions and delays. Lightning alerts are warnings issued by the airport authority when there is a high risk of lightning strikes in the vicinity of the airport. Lightning can damage aircraft systems or injure passengers and crew. When a Lightning Red Alert is issued, flight and ground movements are temporarily suspended, while a Lightning Yellow Alert means increased care is needed for ground operations. According to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which operates the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), the main hub of AirAsia Philippines, there were 166 lightning incidents in the first half of 2023, compared to only 60 in 2022. In May and June, the numbers were significantly above average, with 71 and 84 occurrences of Lightning Yellow and Red Alerts respectively.
How did AirAsia Philippines cope with these challenges?
Despite these adverse factors, AirAsia Philippines was able to achieve a positive OTP of 81% in the first half of 2023, with the highest logged on July 6 at 94%. The airline said that this was due to its focus on safety, passenger comfort, and efficiency, as well as its close coordination with government and industry partners in mitigating controllable circumstances that affect airport operations. AirAsia Country Head for Communications and Public Affairs, Steve Dailisan, said in a statement:
“Our day-to-day operations at AirAsia focus on safety, passenger comfort, and on-time performance, in that order, to make sure that we safely and efficiently fly our guests to their destinations. We are not perfect but we try to do it best for our guests and their loved ones. We are also working closely with government and industry partners in mitigating controllable circumstances that are aimed at improving the efficiency of airport operations.” The airline also expressed its gratitude to its passengers for their understanding and cooperation during these challenging times. “We thank our guests for their continued trust and support as we navigate through these unprecedented times. We remain optimistic that we can sustain our positive OTP performance in the second half of the year as we gear up for more flights and destinations,” Dailisan added.
What are the prospects for AirAsia Philippines in the second half of 2023?
AirAsia Philippines is optimistic that it can maintain its positive OTP performance in the second half of 2023, as it expects a surge in travel demand due to easing travel restrictions and increasing vaccination rates. The airline has also announced new domestic and international routes, such as Manila-Cebu-Davao-Zamboanga-Manila; Manila-Caticlan-Busuanga-Manila; Manila-Kuala Lumpur; Manila-Singapore; Manila-Bangkok; Manila-Hong Kong; Manila-Taipei; Cebu-Singapore; Cebu-Kuala Lumpur; Cebu-Hong Kong; Cebu-Taipei; Clark-Singapore; Clark-Kuala Lumpur; Clark-Hong Kong; Clark-Taipei; Davao-Singapore; Davao-Kuala Lumpur; Davao-Hong Kong; Davao-Taipei. The airline has also implemented various health and safety measures to ensure a safe and convenient travel experience for its passengers. These include contactless check-in and boarding procedures, mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields, regular disinfection of aircraft cabins, pre-flight health declaration forms, temperature screening, social distancing protocols, and cashless transactions. AirAsia Philippines is part of the AirAsia Group, which operates in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Japan, and Australia. The group has been recognized as the World's Best Low-Cost Airline by Skytrax for 11 consecutive years from 2009 to 2019.