AirAsia Philippines is highlighting demand for connecting journeys from Manila as travellers look beyond familiar destinations. A company update published on 4 November points to growth in bookings carried through its Fly-Thru network.
AirAsia’s passenger data show a 1,000% increase in Manila–Almaty traffic between 2025 and 2026. Phnom Penh rose 705%, Penang 50% and New Delhi 43%. The statement does not give the underlying passenger totals, so the percentages alone do not show the size of each market.
One booking is not a direct flight
Fly-Thru connects services through hubs including Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Bangkok. The offer combines eligible flights in one booking, with a single check-in and baggage transferred through to the destination.
That simplifies part of the journey, but passengers still need to check connection times, entry or transit requirements and what their specific itinerary includes. A connecting service is different from a newly launched nonstop route.
Read the itinerary, not just the headline
For travellers, the useful comparison is the full trip: total elapsed time, baggage allowance, transfers and the conditions attached to the fare. A low advertised starting price does not establish the final cost for every date.
The figures suggest growing interest in a wider range of destinations. They do not demonstrate that every route has comparable demand or that the same travel arrangements apply throughout the network.
