Providing 250,000 seats to help people return home — Malaysian low-cost airline assists Philippine disaster victims

Reporter You t
ru / Taipei reporting

To aid Filipino disaster victims severely affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan, a Malaysian low-cost airline has announced the launch of the “Warmth for the Philippines” campaign starting today. Passengers can donate onboard, while the general public can also send love to the Philippines through a dedicated website. In addition, the airline is actively supporting aid efforts by non-governmental organizations, disaster relief agencies, and humanitarian groups. It is providing flight services for delivering relief supplies and offering 250,000 free seats to help Filipino nationals abroad return to their hometowns.


▲ Not only collecting donations onboard, AirAsia is also providing flight services for delivering relief supplies and 250,000 free seats to help Filipino nationals abroad return to their hometowns. (Photo / Provided by AirAsia)

AirAsia has announced the launch of the “Warmth for the Philippines” campaign starting today. Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia, said: “Through the ‘Warmth for the Philippines’ campaign, AirAsia Group hopes to set an example and raise funds to assist in emergency disaster relief and future rebuilding efforts, helping disaster victims overcome this difficult time as soon as possible.” As Super Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines, destroying countless homes and causing continuously rising casualties, AirAsia—as one of the airlines in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations—has mobilized flights to assist in the delivery of relief supplies. The airline is also helping displaced Filipino disaster victims rebuild their homes through small donations.

The “Warmth for the Philippines” fundraising campaign will run until December 31, 2013. All proceeds will be donated to the Philippine Red Cross. To encourage public participation, AirAsia has pledged to match the amount raised by doubling the donation, which will be allocated by the AirAsia Foundation to local health and medical units in the Philippines. This initiative aims to contribute to the country’s social recovery and provide the most tangible assistance to typhoon victims, helping them return to normal life as quickly as possible.