AirAsia was reported to have announced in an email to the AirAsia ticket agents in China that due to changes in its business model, AirAsia would end its business relationship with Fliggy, the online travel platform owned by Alibaba, effective December 1. AirAsia requires ticket agents not to use Fliggy in any form to distribute AirAsia flights, services and related products.
Chinese news media Jiemian confirmed the report in an inquiry to Fliggy and AirAsia. But the two parties have made no further comments.
Fliggy, however, has guaranteed that customers who already bought AirAsia services on its online travel booking platform will not be affected.
As a renowned low-cost airline, AirAsia has six subsidiary carriers, including AirAsia Malaysia, AirAsia Thailand, AirAsia Indonesia, AirAsia Philippines, AirAsia India and AirAsia X. The carriers operate a total of 192 domestic and international routes across more than 20 countries. (Translated by Elena)
Updated: AirAsia on November 29 confirms the termination of the partnership with online travel platform Fliggy, which will take effect from 1 December 2019, based on a mutual agreement of both parties.
All bookings made before 1 December 2019 on the Fliggy platform are valid and will not be affected. Any AirAsia flights, services and related products sold directly or indirectly on Fliggy or its distribution platforms from 00:00 on 1 December 2019 will be deemed unauthorized by AirAsia.
Chief Commercial Officer of AirAsia Group Karen Chan said: “AirAsia is committed to its transformation strategy to become a leading travel and lifestyle platform and we remain focused on driving direct consumer relationships through AirAsia's own platform - airasia.com.
“We will continue to explore any new or past strategic partnerships which are mutually beneficial to our future business plans and which bring a positive economic impact on the traveling communities in which we operate.”
