KUALA LUMPUR (April 29): Low-cost carrier AirAsia Group Bhd resumes its scheduled domestic flights in Malaysia from today, which will be followed by Thailand tomorrow, Indonesia on May 7 and the Philippines on May 16, subject to approval of the authorities.

It said the resumption of services will initially be for key selected domestic routes, which will be increased gradually to include international destinations around the region once the situation improves and governments lift borders and travel restrictions.

AirAsia and its long-haul arm AirAsia X Bhd grounded most of their fleet and suspended flights on March 28 as travel demand dropped because of the Covid-19 outbreak and cross-border travel restrictions.

“AirAsia works actively with all relevant regulators, local governments, and civil aviation and health authorities, adhering to guidance from the World Health Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization to ensure the highest standards of compliance and conformance are in place for every single flight we operate in our network," said AirAsia executive chairman Datuk Kamarudin Meranun in a statement today.

AirAsia passengers will be required to wear a mask and practise universally recommended protective precautionary measures, including social distancing and observing high personal hygiene.

"All our aircraft, which are fitted with hospital-standard high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, will also be sent for a thorough disinfection every night stop," said Kamarudin.

AirAsia shares ended the morning session up 1.5 sen or 1.96% at 78 sen today, bringing it a market capitalisation of RM2.61 billion.

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