Airasia Super App to offer intercity transport thanks to partnership with 12Go

Users will be able to make train, bus, ferry, and private transfer bookings from more than 4,000 operators on 50,000 routes in 26 Asian countries

by Aidan Poole

The largest ground transport OTA in the APAC region 12Go has reached a deal to bring intercity transport to the Airasia Super App.

Users will be able to make train, bus, ferry, and private transfer bookings directly on the app, choosing from more than 4,000 12Go operators across nearly 50,000 routes in 26 Asian countries.

Airasia will allow travellers to compare, choose, and book ground transportation using the 'transport' option on the app, with post-booking servicing managed by a local operator.

Airasia now offers the 10.6 million monthly app users the ability to book a whole trip on the app, from flights and accommodation to 12Go’s transport options and non-travel products like food and financial services.

12Go, along with parent company Bookaway Group, said its mission is to unify the ground transport industry to make booking trains, buses, and ferries stress-free and simple.

The brand claimed that the airasia deal arrives “just in time for Asia’s busy holiday season, which begins in October and is expected to surpass pre-COVID levels of bookings".

Alexey Abolmasov, chief executive at 12Go, said: “Ground transport is the glue that makes international travel possible. Our mission is to improve the experience of travel by making the ground and sea elements of a trip simple to plan and book.

“We intend to partner with the tech and travel ecosystems to put ground transport options in front of travelers wherever they choose to shop, by making our simple to deploy API available at scale.”

Amanda Woo, chief executive of airasia Super App, said: “Being able to easily get to the airport, or move between locations after your flight has landed can make or break a trip.

“That’s why we’re adding Asia’s most comprehensive bus, train and ferry options from 12Go to our Super App, so travelers can organize every aspect of their trip in one place. When it comes to the journey itself, ground transport is the final piece of the jigsaw for our users.”

Abolmasov added: “We’ve organized the world’s bus, train and ferry information by working closely with thousands of local operators to bring them online.

“This is our largest deal to date where we open up our inventory to a third party, and I'm delighted these hardworking local transport businesses are now part of one of the world’s largest and fastest growing digital lifestyle providers.

“This just wouldn’t have been possible even a year ago, and we hope this type of deal helps a greater number of travelers to plan more connected and comfortable journeys.”