AirAsia partners with DOT to promote PH as ‘Muslim-friendly’ destination

AirAsia Philippines has partnered with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to promote the Philippines as an accessible destination for Muslim travelers.

In a news release on Friday, AirAsia said it was recognized by the DOT as the “first Muslim-friendly airline” for offering Halal-certified meal options on all Z2 domestic and international flights.

The airline said there are approximately 15 million Muslims residing in the Philippines as it emphasized 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. We will make this partnership stronger, bigger, and more successful. We understand that airlines play a vital role in the Halal promotion as we are one of the frontiers of 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.

Starting January 16, AirAsia said its guests could look forward to the launch of a new menu from Santan —the airline’s in-flight food and beverage brand.

The airline company said that passengers can order Beef Rendang or Chicken Pastil, Halal-certified dishes, onboard for P220.

AirAsia also aims to strengthen its domestic routes by increasing the frequency of flights to destinations such as Cebu, Caticlan and Cagayan De Oro.

"As part of our strategy to become a Muslim-friendly tourism destination, we have ensured that the touch points of Muslim tourists in the country are properly addressed. We anticipate that the Santan menu will add even more dishes that are inclusive to our communities in the country bringing more delight to our travelers," said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco.

"Also, I am heartened to know that the focus of Air Asia will be on the expansion of domestic tourism in the country. This memorandum that we have signed today is a testament to the power of collaboration reflecting our shared aspiration for an inclusive and globally competitive Philippine tourism industry,” she added.

In 2024, AirAsia said Santan served an impressive 535,000 meals, an increase from 480,000 in 2023. — BAP, GMA Integrated News