COVID-19: AirAsia Group suspends most international flights

AirAsia Group Bhd has temporarily suspended all of its international flights for operations in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines in light of COVID-19.

As for AirAsia Indonesia, the airline group has significantly reduced the frequency of its international flights, while domestic operations continue at reduced frequency.

"The board believes this temporary fleet hibernation is the right thing to do to ensure the well-being of our guests and employees, which will remain as the top priority of our business during this challenging time.

"The company will continue to evaluate the situation closely and is prepared to reinstate the services as soon as the situation improves, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals," the low-cost airline said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia today.

The group said all AirAsia Malaysia's international and domestic flights were suspended for a temporary period from March 28 to April 21, 2020.

The temporary suspension for AirAsia Philippines includes international and domestic flights from March 20 until April 14, 2020, during the community quarantine period in Luzon, as well as in other parts of the country.

As for AirAsia Thailand, the temporary suspension of all international flights are from March 22 to April 25, 2020, while domestic operations continue at reduced frequency.

Meanwhile, AirAsia India, which only flies domestic routes, have temporarily suspended its flights for 21 days, starting March 25, adhering to the government suspension of all domestic flights.

-- BERNAMA