Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia has launched a new initiative to help struggling travel retailers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘Save our Shops’ (SOS) encourages travel retailers to sign up as merchants on AirAsia’s e-commerce marketplace Ourshop without paying any commission or listing fees.

Customers can peruse products online and have them delivered from shops that are closed via Ourshop and RedBeat Ventures’ cargo and logistics subsidiary Teleport, which has been busy delivering medical supplies and protective equipment to frontline workers.

As revealed by TRBusiness in December – when the coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan, China – Ourshop began overseeing AirAsia’s inflight duty free team in a move that assimilated onboard buying and operations functions under a new reporting structure.

In a LinkedIn video post, Group CEO Tony Fernandes said: “At AirAsia, we’re turning a crisis into an opportunity. As we’ve helped millions of people to fly, we now want to use our infrastructure and resources to help many retailers who are shut and can’t earn any revenue.

“Merchants: Please sign up, so we can help you earn some income. This is our bit to keep retail going until the lockdown finishes. Even after, it will allow many retailers to get online.”

At the time of writing, the LinkedIn post had received more than 75,600 views and more than 3,000 likes.

In addition, AirAsia Foundation has announced a public digital donation drive as part of the #InThisTogether campaign to support vulnerable communities.

Running until 30 April, donations will reach social enterprises and charities such as Perak State Parks, SEED Foundation and Beyond Borders Malaysia.

To make a donation, visit: https://airasiafoundation.com/relieffund

Donations can also be made on BigPay via the financial app’s P2P transfer option to AirAsia Foundation or via Local Bank Transfer.

AirAsia took the decision to hibernate most of its fleet late last month, including suspending all AirAsia Malaysia flights from 28 March – 21 April,  due to the ongoing and extensive border restrictions caused by Covid-19.