MANILA, 18 December 2020 – AirAsia guests bound for destinations that require an Antigen test such as General Santos, may now avail of a discounted rate of P1,000 at the Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory (PADLab) facility in the airport starting from 18 December 2020. 

AirAsia inked the partnership with PADLab on Monday to provide an affordable and convenient pre-flight Antigen testing procedure, where the results will be made available swiftly on the same day prior to departure. Present at the contract signing were Miriam Mickey Gonzaga, COO of Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory and Operations Manager Joan Lumanglas, Ricky Isla, CEO of AirAsia Philippines, Captain Chris Natividad, AirAsia Corporate Safety Head, and Pax Paloma AirAsia Ancillary Manager. 

To utilize the special rate and ensure a smooth process, guests are advised to arrive at the Antigen testing facility inside Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, at least four hours prior to departure. They will be required to register by filling in an electronic Personal Information Form (ePIF) or a manual form and settle the discounted fee before undertaking the swab testing procedure. Results should be known within 30 to 60 minutes. Only guests who tested negative may proceed to the check-in counters.

Those who test  positive will be referred to an accredited RT-PCR testing facility for confirmatory tests where they will be advised to comply with the Department of Health’s safety protocols. 

PADLab also offers AirAsia guests a discounted rate of P3,500 for an RT-PCR test, with results available within 24 hours. Guest simply have to present their AirAsia ticket at the facility to avail of this special rate.

AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla says, “As more guests begin to travel this season, AirAsia is committed to ensuring that everyone gets to their desired destinations in the safest and most affordable way possible. Aside from our low fares and amazing deals, we are pleased to partner with PADLab and Hi-Precision to provide two convenient and inexpensive testing options for our guests. Although more flights have been made available to cater for increased demand for both essential and leisure travelers, AirAsia will always place our guests' safety as our top priority as we continue to make air travel more affordable and seamless.”  

Miriam Mickey Gonzaga, Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory COO said, “We also share the same clamour of opening air travel and tourism in the country mainly because we really need to help our government boost our economy.  But we are hoping that the LGUS will also be persuaded in terms of accepting an Antigen.  We know that RT-PCR is the gold standard for COVID-19 but it takes 24-48 hours to get the result.  But for Antigen, it will only take 30 minutes.  If all the LGUs would promote the Antigen as an alternative test method for COVID-19 definitely this will be a more efficient and affordable way of doing the test.”

Earlier this month, AirAsia partnered with Hi-Precision Diagnostics to offer RT-PCR testing bundles at P7,600 (previously P10,000) for two swab tests per person, with results available within 48 hours. 

The bundled RT-PCR test can be purchased at airasia.com/deals. The deal is available to airasia guests and also for non-passengers. For convenience, testing will be made available in the following Hi-Precision centers: Alabang, Angeles-Pampanga, Bacoor-Cavite, Calamba-Laguna, Dasmarinas-Cavite, Las Pinas, Lipa-Batangas, McKinley West, Ortigas, Retiro – Quezon City, San Juan, Sucat-Paranaque, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and Valenzuela from now until October 2021.

Guests are reminded that a RT-PCR test booking from airasia.com is required prior to visiting the centre. Once there, guests just need to inform the staff of the deal redemption by opening the airasia app and tapping ‘Use now’ on the RT-PCR bundle. 

AirAsia was recently awarded the highest top seven stars for COVID-19 health ratings by the aviation safety experts at Airlineratings.com, following the implementation of numerous industry innovations to make flying more seamless, hygienic and contactless than ever before. 

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