Philippines — AirAsia announced it had raised Php 15 million (USD$255,000) for post-disaster recovery efforts in Cebu during a concert held on January 16, 2026, as part of the Sinulog Festival celebrations.
The fundraising total was revealed at the ‘Concert for a Cause’, which drew more than 40,000 attendees and formed part of the airline’s “To the Philippines With Love” initiative. The event also coincided with efforts to support communities affected by earthquakes and typhoons that struck Cebu in the final quarter of 2025.
According to AirAsia, the initiative aimed to combine public participation with fundraising for affected communities.
The campaign was also linked to the reopening of AirAsia Philippines’ Cebu hub in November 2025. Under the initiative, the AirAsia Group committed to donating Php 15 (USD 0.25) for every seat sold between November 15, 2025, and January 14, 2026.
AirAsia Philippines president and chief executive officer Capt Suresh Bangah said, “This concert is driven by the purpose of standing with Cebu as it rebuilds. Cebu is a key part of our Philippine and ASEAN network, which is why we’re constantly finding meaningful ways—through this concert and donation drive—to support the whole community where it is needed most.”
Funds raised through the campaign will be distributed through the AirAsia Foundation, the airline group’s philanthropic arm. The foundation will also work with local organisations, including Bike Scouts, a social enterprise involved in disaster response efforts in the Philippines. The foundation will oversee the selection of beneficiaries and the implementation of recovery projects.
According to AirAsia, the proceeds will support post-disaster preparedness and resilience, livelihood rebuilding, and the restoration of community infrastructure, with priority given to areas most affected by recent disasters and communities that experienced limited access to immediate aid.
Yap Mun Ching, executive director of AirAsia Foundation and AirAsia’s chief sustainability officer, said, “At AirAsia, sustainability goes beyond reducing our environmental footprint. It is also about standing with communities when they need support the most. The ‘To the Philippines With Love’ campaign reflects the power of collective action to help rebuild community livelihoods.”
Yap added, “Through AirAsia Foundation and our local partners, we are committed to ensuring that these funds translate into long-term resilience, stronger livelihoods, and safer communities for Cebuanos as they recover and move forward.”
Established in 2012, AirAsia Foundation has led the group’s disaster response initiatives across Southeast Asia, raising and distributing more than US$4 million for recovery efforts following major disasters, including Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the Palu tsunami in Indonesia, and floods in Malaysia.
Separately, AirAsia said it plans to introduce new direct international routes from Cebu to destinations in Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia as part of its regional network expansion.
