AirAsia holiday proposal for stranded passengers

Why not to turn a catastrophe into an asset? This is the message sent by AirAsia to airlines’ passengers with its newest promotional offer starting from today. The low cost carrier is offering a RM 99 (approximately US$ 30 for a one-way ticket excluding taxes and fees) to any stranded passenger holding a ticket on any airline to Europe and blocked because of Iceland’s volcanic eruption… The promotion is on sale from April 20 to 25 for a travel period valid from April 20 to May 23. AirAsia offer is only available for passengers blocked in Singapore and Malaysia and can be enjoyed for any ASEAN destination except for Myanmar. For Kathleen Tan, Regional Head of Commercial, AirAsia Group, AirAsia’s move is due to the fact that it has always be known as the ‘People’s Airline’. This is our small contribution and offer for these affected passengers. We came-up with this special campaign to offer these stranded passengers a special fare to some other alternative holiday destinations in ASEAN, hoping to make up to guests disappointment of their cancelled trips due to the air travel disruption in Europe. For those who are supposed to be heading home, you can make the most out of the trip and visit other ASEAN destinations while waiting for the normal flights to resume.” However, it is not sure that so many stranded European or Asian passengers might take the offer into consideration as most of them really want to go back home. And as the situation in Europe starts to improve, AirAsia’s marketing gimmick might look a little bit staggered in its timing…