KUALA LUMPUR (Apr 29): AirAsia X Bhd will be aiding relief efforts in earthquake-stricken Nepal by offering free flights for humanitarian agencies until May 10.

In a statement, the long-haul arm of AirAsia Bhd said it was facilitating free flights from today based on seat availability, for accredited non-governmental organisations (NGOs), aid and humanitarian agencies.

AirAsia X Group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Kamarudin Meranun pledged that the company would do what it can to help the victims of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Kathmandu and nearby areas on Saturday.

“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the earthquake in Nepal and we pledge to do what we can to help alleviate grief and distress experienced by the victims, and pray for their safety and well-being.”

AirAsia X acting CEO Benyamin Ismail said Air Asia X’s staff and families had also been affected by the tragedy.

“We are very saddened by the news, and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with everyone affected by this earthquake,” he said.

“Our own staff and their families have been affected as well; and as an airline that serves this route and market, we will stand by everyone there to offer as much help as possible, especially in getting in all the relief efforts into Nepal through our flights,” he added.

All NGOs and humanitarian agencies can send in their requests to AirAsia Foundation at [email protected].

Further information for flights coordination will be provided after evaluation of the request.

AirAsia had aided relief efforts in the wake of the far-sweeping tsunami that struck the Southeast Asian region in 2004, the 2008 Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, Typhoon Nesat in the Philippines in 2011, the 2008 earthquake which struck Sichuan in China, the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Fukushima, Japan in 2011, Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013 and the recent floods in the East Coast of Malaysia late last year.

The company had also mounted rescue flights from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur in November 2008 to help people stranded by the closing of the airport in Bangkok, and similar rescue efforts were extended in Padang and Jakarta in October 2009 to help those affected by the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that hit Sumatra Island.

Nepal is a popular destination for tourists as the region boasts some of the best trekking routes and Mount Everest.

AirAsia X had announced in October last year that it would increase the frequency of flights to capital Kathmandu from 7 times to 10 times weekly for the period of October 26, 2014 until December 31, 2014 to meet the strong travel demand during the peak holiday period.

A region known for active seismic activity due to the tectonic movements of the Indian subcontinent against the Eurasian plate, the earthquake that occurred just outside of capital Kathmandu on Saturday was the worst the country had seen in more than 80 years.

According to news reports, more than 5,000 people have been killed and about 8,000 people have been injured.

United Kingdom’s The Guardian reported today that more than 100,000 people have left Kathmandu to escape desperate living conditions, fears of disease and a breakdown in law and order in the aftermath of the earthquake, with Nepalese officials expecting more people to leave the capital.

The report also stated that the United Nations estimates that 8 million people have been affected by the tragedy — more than a quarter of Nepal’s population — and that 1.4 million are in need of food assistance.

Tens of thousands have also been left homeless.