THE Wrap is a round-up of news in the travel and technology sector – new partnerships, product launches, aviation industry updates, innovative solutions, and more …
airasia Super App introduces Super+ with unlimited flight redemption, free food delivery
SUPER+ is currently limited to 200,000 Super+ subscriptions across Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. (Image credit: Capital X)
In a timely move to coincide with the reopening of the ASEAN region, including Malaysia on April 1, airasia Super App has launched its SUPER+ subscription plan.
Touted as a “one-of-a-kind” subscription plan that includes both travel and lifestyle products and services, it is tailored for travellers to explore the region with numerous benefits.
Subscriber will be able to fly with unlimited flight redemption across all AirAsia airlines (flight code AK, FD, QZ, Z2) across the ASEAN region for both domestic and international destinations. They can redeem their flights from March 28, 2022 until March 27, 2023. and travel throughout April 11, 2022 to April 10, 2023.
They will also be able to have unlimited free delivery for airasia food orders across all countries and locations where the service is available, currently in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.
Additionally, the plan offers Covid pre-departure insurance coverage.
Capital A’s (formerly AirAsia Group) chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said SUPER+ is the equivalent of Amazon Prime and Netflix, as it is the first pass that combined flights and food for a year in a single package. It will supersede all unlimited passes introduced earlier.
The group is offering 200,000 Super+ subscriptions across four countries – Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand – for a limited time until April 2, 2022.
Fernandes said the subscriber capacity could be extended if the product is successful.
Amanda Woo, CEO of airasia Super App, described SUPER+ “an unprecedented product in ASEAN, which unlocks travel and lifestyle benefits like never before.”
She added that with ASEAN opening the pass will enable more travellers to explore the region.
“Air travel is on a strong rebound especially with various countries across ASEAN announcing the reopening of borders and more Vaccinated-Travel-Lane (VTL) arrangements.
“SUPER+ will certainly facilitate affordable and convenient travel for everyone to visit and explore the many destinations within the wide network connectivity of the AirAsia Aviation Group.”
Capital A said subscribers to SUPER+ can look forward to more benefits from across the airasia ecosystem that will be added as part of the plan including discounts on airasia ride, airasia xpress, SNAP and hotels.
Passenger demand still weak for APAC airlines, while air cargo markets remain robust
AAPA’s February air traffic results show passenger demand is still weak for APAC airlines. (Image credit: [email protected]/Getty Images).
“Taken together, the first two months of the year saw a 150% year-on-year increase in international passenger traffic although demand remained suppressed when compared to 2019 levels. Meanwhile, further expansion in the global manufacturing sector has supported air cargo markets.”
With these words Subhas Menon, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), summed up the ongoing weakness in international air passenger markets as the surge in Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant continues to hold back any meaningful recovery in demand in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.
AAPA’s February air traffic results for APAC airlines saw a combined 2.5 million international passengers travelling on the region’s carriers, but only 8.4% of the 30.3 million in the corresponding month of 2019.
International passenger demand in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) averaged 9.9% of 2019 volumes. The international passenger load factor averaged 41.7% for the month, with available seat capacity at 19.2% of 2019 levels.
The trade association said that international air cargo markets again held steady, underpinned by strong consumer and business demand.
“Ongoing supply chain challenges faced by maritime shipping also supported demand for shipments by air,” it added.
Menon pointed out that Asian airlines face mounting challenges with the outbreak of war in Ukraine at the end of February. “Elevated fuel prices, airspace closures, as well as an overall increase in inflationary pressures will weigh heavily on both passenger and cargo business segments.”
He, however, said there is some positive news for the region’s carriers with the increasing momentum towards the re-opening of borders and easing of travel restrictions in APAC.
“The relaxation of travel restrictions comes about as governments move towards an endemic approach to Covid-19. As such, AAPA continues to urge more governments to collaborate across borders in paving the way for the safe and sustainable restoration of international air travel and global mobility.”
RedDoorz expands portfolio in Indonesia with Urbanview
An Urbanview property in Indonesia (Image credit: RedDoorz)
Hotel management and booking platform RedDoorz added a new brand, Urbanview, to its Indonesia’s portfolio targeted at urban and business traveller.
Announcing this In a statement, RedDoorz said Urbanview properties are close to business districts, transport nodes and tourist attractions.
There are currently has 50 Urbanview properties in Indonesia, offering rooms with WiFi and cable TV at an average rate of US$15-US$20 per night. The properties also adhere to RedDoorz’s proprietary HygienePass-certified cleanliness measures.
“Urbanview was conceptualised as a brand to provide a hospitality solution for travellers who are seeking comfort, modernity and convenience at an affordable price,” said Amit Saberwal, founder and CEO of RedDoorz.
“Urbanview will allow our multi-brand strategy to tap onto a larger segment of travellers, driving us further towards our goal of being a key leader in the hospitality and tourism sector.”
Urbanview is RedDoorz’s fourth brand launch since 2021. The others are Sunerra Hotel, SANS and Koolkost – an extended-stay co-living concept renting out rooms under flexible long-term leases. Its total inventory comprises more than 3,000 properties in 170 cities across Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore.
• Featured image credit: AirAsia
