AirAsia backs DOT’s ‘Muslim-friendly’ initiative

CEBU, Philippines — AirAsia Philippines has reinforced its commitment to the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) initiative to make the Philippines a “Muslim-friendly” destination.

The DOT has recognized AirAsia Philippines as the first Muslim-friendly airline to offer Halal-certified meal options on all Z2 domestic and international flights.

This aligns with the DOT’s objective to increase Muslim tourist arrivals in the Philippines and underscores AirAsia’s dedication to providing an inclusive travel experience for all passengers.

With approximately 15 million Muslims residing in the Philippines, AirAsia acknowledges the importance of catering to this significant demographic.

“AirAsia Philippines takes pride in breaking barriers to travel and making our services more inclusive for all, especially for our Muslim travelers. We are very bullish on strengthening this partnership to make it bigger and more successful. Airlines play a vital role in Halal promotion as we are one of the frontiers of the consumer journey in tourism. Hence, we continue to be agile and enhance our offerings so that everyone feels welcomed and truly at home when they visit our beautiful country,” said AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla.

On January 16, AirAsia Philippines is set to launch a new menu under its in-flight F&B brand, Santan. Passengers can look forward to enjoying the “Beef Rendang with Chicken Pastil,” a flavorful Halal-certified dish available onboard for just PHP 220.

This dish draws inspiration from the rich culinary traditions of the 11 tribes in the Davao region. It was developed in partnership with the Universal Islamic Center (UIC) during the Halal-Friendly Culinary Cup held in Davao last August.

To further support the DOT’s efforts to boost tourist revenue in the Philippines, AirAsia Philippines announced plans to strengthen domestic routes by increasing flight frequencies to key destinations such as Cebu, Caticlan, and Cagayan de Oro.

“As part of our strategy to position the Philippines as a Muslim-friendly tourism destination, we have ensured that the touchpoints of Muslim tourists in the country are properly addressed. We anticipate that the Santan menu will continue to expand with more inclusive dishes, bringing delight to our travelers. Furthermore, I am heartened to see AirAsia’s focus on expanding domestic tourism,” said DOT secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco during the recently held Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing to jointly promote the Philippines a Muslim-friendly destination.

“ The memorandum we signed is a testament to the power of collaboration, reflecting our shared aspiration for an inclusive and globally competitive Philippine tourism industry,” added Garcia-Frasco.

In 2024, Santan served an impressive 535,000 meals, up from 480,000 in 2023, demonstrating the growing popularity of its offerings.

Santan’s diverse menu already features Halal-certified favorites like Nasi Lemak and Chicken Rice, alongside iconic Filipino dishes such as Chicken Inasal, made possible through a partnership with JT’s Manukan. All meals are prepared to strict Halal standards, ensuring they meet the dietary requirements of Muslim passengers. — (FREEMAN)