AirAsia Philippines sees rising demand for long-haul destinations in 2026, with Almaty traffic surging 1,000%

04 Nov 2026, Manila — Filipino travelers are increasingly looking beyond familiar holiday destinations, with AirAsia Philippines recording significant growth in its fly-thru service destinations in 2026, led by a surge in travel to Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Based on AirAsia Philippines' passenger flown data from 2025 to 2026, Manila–Almaty traffic increased by as much as 1,000 percent.

Other destinations also posted notable growth, including Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which increased by 705%, Manila–Penang, Malaysia, by 50%, and New Delhi, India, by 43%.

The figures point to an emerging opportunity for Filipino travelers to discover more of Asia and beyond, supported by AirAsia's extensive network and Fly-Thru service, which connects passengers to multiple destinations through a single booking.

AirAsia President and General Manager, Anna Victoria Lu said: “It's exciting to see more Filipinos becoming open to exploring destinations they may not have considered before. Travel is not just about visiting the usual holiday spots anymore, it's about discovering new places, experiencing different cultures, and making more meaningful memories. The strong growth in Almaty is a good example of this changing interest. Through AirAsia's Fly-Thru network, we want to make these journeys more accessible and convenient, giving more Filipinos the opportunity to go further and discover more at low fares without the hassle of booking separate flights.”

Think beyond direct flights: Where can AirAsia Fly-Thru take you from the Philippines?

From the mountains of Almaty to the beaches of the Maldives and Bali, more international adventures await Filipino travelers through AirAsia Fly-Thru connectivity.

From Manila, fly to:

  • Almaty, Kazakhstan (ALA)

  • Jaipur and New Delhi, India (JAI)

  • Penang, Malaysia (PEN)

  • Maldives (MLE)

  • Phuket (HKT)

  • Chiang Mai, Thailand (CNX)

  • Shenzhen, China (CNX)

  • Yangon, Myanmar (RGN)

  • Sarawak, Malaysia (KCH)

  • Sabah, Malaysia (TWU and SDK)

  • Sri Lanka (CMB)

From Cebu, discover more of Asia:

  • Penang, Malaysia (PEN)

  • Bali, Indonesia (DPS)

  • Siem Reap, Cambodia (SAI)

  • Hanoi (HAN) and Da Nang, Vietnam (DAD)

  • Singapore (SIN)

  • Phuket (HKT)

  • Jakarta, Indonesia (CGK)

  • Sri Lanka (CMB)

  • Phnom Penh, Cambodia (KTI)

With competitive fares and convenient connections through Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, and Bangkok as major fly-thru hubs, travelers can explore destinations beyond direct routes with just one booking.

For a limited time only, AirAsia Philippines is launching its biggest Fly-Thru sale starting November 3 until November 9, giving Filipinos more opportunities to explore destinations beyond Asia for as low as Php 7,699.

Fly Further, Discover More Destinations with One Convenient Booking: Here's How AirAsia Fly-Thru Makes Connecting Flights Easier

AirAsia Fly-Thru makes traveling to farther destinations easier by combining connecting flights in one booking, with checked baggage transferred straight to the final destination.

The service offers several conveniences for travelers:

  • One booking: Connect trips in one easy booking

  • Single check-in: Go straight to your next gate

  • Baggage check-through: Collect bags at your final stop

  • Greater connectivity: Access more than 130 destinations across Asia and Australia through the AirAsia network.

  • Premium Flatbed: Enjoy the option to upgrade your journey on eligible 

Guests may check in online through the AirAsia MOVE app or website. For checked baggage, they can print their bag tags at a self-check-in kiosk before dropping off their luggage at the baggage drop counter or check in at the AirAsia Philippines counter. AirAsia will place a green Fly-Thru sticker on the bags to ensure they are transferred straight to the final destination.

At the transit airport, simply follow the designated transfer signs, complete applicable security and immigration procedures, and proceed to the connecting gate. Upon arrival, collect checked baggage at the carousel, clear customs, and enjoy your destination.

For more information on Fly-Thru, connecting flight options, and transit procedures, visit AirAsia Fly-Thru.

***PR03112026***



About AirAsia Philippines

AirAsia is a leading low-cost carrier with licenses to operate in five Asean countries - Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia. Founded in 2001, AirAsia has stayed true to its purpose and tagline "Now Everyone Can Fly". The airline has made flying affordable and accessible to over 900 million guests, connecting people and communities across more than 150 destinations. Today, as one of the largest airlines in the region, AirAsia is expanding to become the world's first global low-cost network carrier. It operates more than 250 aircraft and holds a significant orderbook for the next decade. AirAsia leads in sustainable aviation with green initiatives and a net zero target by 2050. In 2025, it avoided 135,788 tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2025 through 19 fuel efficiency initiatives, achieving US$30,939,120 in fuel savings and over US$2,715,767 in shadow carbon cost reductions.



NOTE: The Communications and Public Affairs Group kindly requests for all media partners to follow the correct typography for the brand – for airline (AirAsia) spelled as one word with both As capitalized; and for non-airline (AirAsia MOVE) with MOVE capitalized.. 

For more information, feel free to contact:

AirAsia Philippines Communications and Public Affairs Team

paa_commsandpublicaffairs1@airasia.com