AirAsia flies Boxing Champ Manny Pacquiao and team to/from Macau

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, PHILIPPINES, 17 Nov.2014 – Two Airbus A320s of AirAsia, voted the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier for six straight years and the official airline partner of Filipino Boxing Champ and Sarangani Representative Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, today left Manila’s NAIA Terminal 4 at 2:00PM and arrived at 3:45PM in General Santos City, hometown of the Filipino boxing sensation to ferry Pacman, his family, boxing team and guests to Macau, China.

AirAsia flights Z29012 and Z29016 operated by highly trained and experienced flight and cabin crew led by Filipino pilots, Captain Rolando Ching and Captain Darren Acorda departed General Santos International Airport at 4:25 and 4:35 in the afternoon, respectively and are set to arrive at Macau International Airport before 8:00 in the evening.

In conjunction with this nationwide send-off party for Pacman with only five days to go before the battle of Clash in Cotai II Champion vs Champion in Macau, the airlines unwrapped its newest Knock-out promo fares from as low as P354, all-in for one way domestic and international destinations. These Promo seats are available for booking at www.airasia.com for travel period starting today (November 17) to April 30, 2015.

“In addition to giving away airline seats and exclusive ringside tickets to watch Pacman live in Macau through social media via #PacmanViaAirAsia, we are also offering knock out promotional seats not only for our flights between Manila and Macau but for all domestic and international flights to Korea, China, Malaysia and more,” AirAsia Zest CEO Joy Cañeba said.

“We have also prepared a special ‘Three-punch combo meal’ for all our passengers available on board all our flights. For Pacman’s entourage we are serving our popular in flight hot meals and kiddie snacks for his children such as Chicken Rice, Pork Adobo, Nasi Lemak, Beef Caldereta, Clubhouse sandwich, Chicken Tomato sandwich and chocolate chip cookies. This is only the beginning of our partnership – together with Team Pacman, we will bring more tourists in the country, open new routes, provide unmatched connectivity at affordable fares and superb service. We will bring this game to a higher level.”

Congressman Manny Pacquiao, boxing’s biggest attraction, is set to take his act on the road again on 23rd November, when he defends his WBO welterweight title against Chris Algieri at the Cotai Arena in the Venetian in Macau, China.

Sarangani Representative and Philippine sports icon Manny Pacquaio said, “I would like to thank the Filipino people for the overflowing support and I am equally thankful that I am with my family, friends, colleagues, teammates and supporters today in our AirAsia flight to Macau. With God’s guidance and blessings, it’s about time to show the rest of the world again what Filipinos are made of.”

Being the official airline of Team Pacquiao, AirAsia is scheduled to unveil an exclusive aircraft livery featuring the boxing sensation. The livery design was unveiled in a press launch in General Santos City in November 12 by AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes.

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes explains, “We celebrate heroes, guys and girls who come from nowhere and make their dreams come true and inspire the rest of us. So when this opportunity with Pacman came, it was too good an opportunity to miss.”

Pacman’s fans can look forward to spotting the special Manny Pacquiao branded Airbus A320 which carries the colors of the Philippine flag and Pacquiao’s logo painting the skies red soon from AirAsia hubs not only in Manila, Cebu, Kalibo to domestic destinations of Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Tagbilaran (Bohol), Tacloban and to international points in Malaysia, China and South Korea but all over AirAsia’s 88 destinations across Asean countries and extending as far as China, India, Australia and more!

As for the start of regular AirAsia Flights to General Santos City, that will come very, very soon!  

Keep updated with AirAsia’s latest promotions and activities via Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsiaPH)and Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsiaPhilippines).  All photos except indicated are from AirAsia.