AirAsia Philippines, a new regional wing of budget airline AirAsia, has announced it will begin direct flights from Clark to Palawan. This will be AirAsia Philippines’ third destination and the new route will begin on April 20, 2012.

Flights will depart from Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and arrive at Puerto Princesa, Palawan, an island recently voted one of the new ‘Seven Wonders of Nature”.

AirAsia CEO Marianne Hontiveros said: “”We’re a new player and we have to be sensitive to market demand. Palawan is a beautiful destination that travelers from Northern and Central Luzon would want to see. It is a market with lots of potential. It is gaining popularity and highly likely for us to anticipate additional frequencies.”

Philippine AirAsia, the new budget airline, will launch domestic operations on March 28, 2012. Its first routes will be Manila – Davao and Manila – Kalibo.

The initial schedule will be two flights per day from Clark International Airport to Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao and Kalibo International Airport in Kalibo.

“In celebration of our very first promo in the Philippines, there are a total of 20,000 free seats up for grabs,” said AirAsia CEO Marianne Hontiveros. For this promotion, customers only pay 250 Pesos to cover the fuel surcharge and taxes.

Bookings can be be made at www.airasia.com.