AirAsia insure now available in Japan

AirAsia X has widened its AirAsia Insure travel protection plan to the thriving Japanese market. The service, available within AirAsia's online booking system from April 2012, is provided via an alliance with Japanese Insurer Sompo Japan Insurance Inc.. AirAsia X started flying to Japan in December 2010 with its first stop Haneda in Tokyo, followed by Osaka in December 2011. Since then, it has flown in excess of 70,000 passengers between its base in Kuala Lumpur and Japan. Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X, said, “We are very happy that we are now extending the AirAsia Insure travel protection plan to the Japanese market. Japan is a very important part of our operation and with the rapid rise of the popularity of low cost carrier services among the Japanese, more guests will be enjoying not only low fares but also value added benefits from our product enhancements like AirAsia Insure.” Apart from AirAsia X's long-haul service to Japan, AirAsia has also formed a joint venture with All Nippon Airways (ANA) to establish a Japanese-based low cost carrier, AirAsia Japan. The new airline recently received its aviation operation certificate and is expected to commence domestic and international flights from Narita International Airport by August 2012. AirAsia Insure is a suite of general and lifestyle protection products offered by AirAsia and managed by Tune Money. AirAsia Insure travel protection has been available in key markets of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, China, Macau and Hong Kong since 2009. In 2011, the plan was extended to Australia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Tune Money CEO, Peter Miller, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Sompo Japan for the provision of AirAsia Insure travel protection plan for the Japanese market. As the manager of AirAsia Insure, I must emphasise that Tune Money is very selective and sets very high standards in choosing only reputable partners in each domicile country with a proven track record for customer service and claims payment in order to ensure high service quality for AirAsia and AirAsia X guests. By next month AirAsia Insure will be launched in India, extending the service coverage to about 95% of guests flying AirAsia. Our target is to have AirAsia Insure available in all other AirAsia and AirAsia X markets by the end of 2012.” AirAsia Insure travel protection plan is available for one-way and return trips. It incorporates coverage for personal accident, compensation for loss of baggage and personal effects, flight cancellation and delays and 24-hour worldwide emergency medical assistance.