LAKBAYAN: Philippines’ AirAsia introduces new customer-friendly services with new hotline and cash payment partners

Philippines’ AirAsia, the low cost carrier with the youngest fleet, today announced significant changes in its customer call center. Starting February 25, Philippines’ AirAsia’s new customer hotline number will be 742ASIA or 742.27.42.

“To provide optimum customer care service for our guest, AirAsia is launching two new significant innovations. We have a new customer hotline that is easy to remember and we are also rolling out our cash payment partner with 7-Eleven store for our passengers who want to avail of our online promo and other privileges but would like to pay in cash instead of using their credit cards,” AirAsia Inc. Commercial head Freddy Herrera said.

AirAsia’s payment partner service provides the convenience of using cash when paying for AirAsia promo fares and other online purchases at www.airasia.com.

LAKBAYAN: SEAIR flies to Laoag, offers PHP 599 promo

Southeast Asian Airlines, Inc. (SEAIR), in partnership with Tiger Airways, recently announced that it will start flying to its newest destination, Laoag, on April 4, 2013. Flights will originate from the Manila Domestic Airport or Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 4.

SEAIR is offering introductory fares to Laoag at PHP 599 for travel on April 4 to August 31, 2013. Passengers must book their tickets via www.tigerairways.com to avail of the special rates until February 21, 2013.

The northernmost city of Laoag is the capital of Ilocos Norte. Laoag means “light” in Ilocano and the city is nicknamed “Sunshine City” for its year-round sunny weather. Laoag has an interesting mix of tradition and modernity, reflecting Spanish and Ilocano heritage. Kalesas or horse carriages still cruise the streets of downtown Laoag, bustling as it is with numerous business establishments, as the city is also the center of trade and commerce in the region. For history buffs, must-see sites include the Museo Ilocos Norte, which houses prehistoric tools that were used for hunting and fishing by early settlers, and the Sinking Bell Tower of St. William’s Cathedral, the largest and tallest in the country at 45 meters. Gourmands can explore the city through partaking of popular local dishes like bagnet (crispy pork belly),longganisa (sweet sausage links), empanada (a deep fried pastry stuffed with longganisa), and the simple but tasty vegetable soup dinengdeng.