AirAsia X to fund heritage restoration in Christchurch

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia X has pledged to raise RM500,000 to help fund heritage restoration in earthquake-hit Christchurch as it celebrates its first flight into the city. The inaugural flight of the long-haul low fare affiliate of AirAsia arrived on Friday night and announced its intention to donate for restoration a percentage of each ticket purchased by passengers travelling to and from New Zealand. AirAsia X chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani said the airline was targeting to raise RM500,000 and is expected to reach the amount within 12 months. “We thank our guests for all the support and hope this financial gesture will assist in some way to restore Christchurch’s heritage icons,” he said in a statement yesterday. Azran said the airline’s shareholders and management wished to contribute in some way to Christchurch’s recovery initiative. Christchurch’s Anglican Cathedral, which was damaged in the earthquake on Feb 22, is estimated to cost tens of millions to strengthen and reconstruct. Azran also said he believed every traveller arriving in Christchurch would be proud to have helped in some small way in its recovery. Christchurch mayor Bob Parker said he was pleased to have AirAsia X flying into the city and make the financial commitment to assist heritage restoration. “We are very much looking forward to working closely alongside the airline as a tourism partner and as a newly-arrived member of the Christchurch community,” he said. -thestar online.