ASEAN airlines set discount

ASEAN airlines set discount

MANILA (AFP): Eight Southeast Asian airlines are teaming up to offer heavily discounted fares to at least three destinations in the region, Philippine Airlines (PAL) said Thursday.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) "Air Pass" system is intended to boost travel and tourism within the region, the flag-carrier said in a statement.

PAL said it was joining Royal Brunei Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, Vietnam Airlines, Garuda of Indonesia and Silk Air of Singapore in the scheme.

The pass will allow travelers from outside ASEAN to purchase flights from three to six ASEAN destinations at heavily discounted rates, provided that these routes are serviced by the airlines.

Surface travel between destinations is allowed at the passenger's expense but a passenger must begin his travel outside of ASEAN and must fly into the region on one of the participating airlines, PAL said in a statement.