Philippines AirAsia and GCash have recently announced a partnership that will see the carrier provide its customers with flexible cashless options, according to the media. GCash is a mobile wallet arm of Global Telecom. The low-cost carrier signed the collaboration as it anticipates the demand for air travel to jump once the quarantine restrictions relax and because the customers prefer cashless transactions for hygiene purposes.
Martha M. Sazon, president and chief executive officer of Mynt, Globe Fintech, told the media via a virtual event, “This is just one of the ways we are making air travel more accessible, and I’m sure this partnership will bring game-changing initiatives in the near future.”
Ricardo P. Isla, Philippines AirAsia chief executive officer, stated that a robust recovery drives these efforts. The partnership with GCash will empower the carrier’s customers with flexible cashless options as it plans to fly again to various destinations.
The customers of the Philippines AirAsia can accomplish secure mobile payments online through the GCash application via AirAsia’s ‘super app’ or from the website. Customers can also choose GCash to pay for AirAsia shop purchases like travel essentials.
AirAsia expects domestic operations in the country to be below 25 percent from the pre-pandemic level until at least September 2021. The Philippines still awaits a widespread Covid-19 vaccination.
Month-on-month operations in the country have improved with a 57 percent increase in passengers in March 20201. However, this was lower than the 85 percent increase at AirAsia Malaysia. Philippines AirAsia also plans for travel incentives for fully vaccinated individuals to help increase the demand.