AirAsia is all set to paint the skies red again! With signals from the government that businesses will soon be able to return to normal operation, the aviation industry has been eagerly preparing to once again serve air travelers, especially domestic travelers in support of the Phuket Tourism Sandbox programme that is also seen as the first step in welcoming international visitors to Thailand.

For AirAsia, it’s all systems go as it gears up to get back in action as a key player in the tourism industry and at the same time help stimulate economic recovery.  The checklist has been comprehensive as it covers all aspects of the airline operations including manpower, aircraft and services. 

AirAsia Thailand Head of Government Relations and Secretary-General of the Airlines Association of Thailand Krid Pattanasan said: “Domestic travel will be the first to restart with the reopening of Phuket from 1 July 2021. Thai and foreign travelers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able to enter Phuket under strict government guidelines. This initiative will soon be extended  to other destinations including Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phang Nga, Pattaya and Hua Hin. AirAsia has been rigorously preparing for this much awaited programme and its Allstars are all ready to welcome and facilitate guests, including by getting themselves vaccinated to ensure the safety, wellbeing and peace of mind for all guests.”

By the end of June 2021, over 80 percent of AirAsia Allstars would have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While priority is given to those who would be in  direct contact with guests such as ground staff, cabin crew and pilots, those working as baggage handlers, technical crew and engineering staff are also ensured to receive the vaccine. 

In preparation to take to the skies again, AirAsia has lined up various attractive promotions to further stimulate travel. These promos will commence as soon as the government provides the green light for mass air travel to kick off. 

“We are very confident that with the smooth vaccination rollout covering both service providers like AirAsia and the public at large, we will soon enough achieve herd immunity that is key for tourism to fully recover. I am sure everyone can't wait to be able to fly again too so please make sure you get vaccinated to protect yourself as well as your family and loved ones,” Mr. Krid said.

Senior Cabin Crew Lunchakorn Saengsiri remarked that as a frontline staff in direct contact with guests, receiving a full vaccination has provided great confidence when interacting with his co-workers, his family and AirAsia guests. He expressed confidence that air travel  is well on its recovery path as vaccinations make it safer for both airlines and guests.

He noted that despite the low frequency of flights currently, he and his colleagues have been maintaining the utmost in safety and hygiene standards for every flight.  Close contact with passengers has been reduced to the minimum in accordance with state regulations while the consumption of food and sale of goods in-flight have been completely restricted.

For Senior Cabin Crew Tapachcha Khanpimool, most people have been adapting to the situation and she expressed belief that once vaccinations become widespread air travel will quickly return, especially the much anticipated domestic travel.

“Our cabin crew are ready to serve and we are excited to return to full service.  We are very excited to return to flying and have ensured that we are fully ready by protecting ourselves and staying up to date on the latest information  so that we can provide the best possible service to our guests.”

Meanwhile, Ramp Agent Noppalit Budrath shared that despite everyone in his department having been fully vaccinated, it is crucial that the highest safety and hygiene measures continue to be observed. He said this is especially true as in the course of his duties delivering aircraft for service and to be present during landing and take-off, he would frequently come into contact with passengers.

AirAsia has been working closely with state agencies and authorities to jointly relaunch tourism across the country and help stimulate the economy.

In preparation for progressive improvements in tourism activities in the coming months, AirAsia has planned to increase its domestic service by 20-30 percent compared to the same period in 2020 and before the latest COVID-19 wave.  Phuket has been marked as a strategic destination for the airline’s flights resumption and it will fly Don Mueang-Phuket 3 times daily and Suvarnabhumi-Phuket once daily every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The latest promotions are available via the airasia super app or by visiting airasia.com.