PETALING JAYA: Global eyecare non profit Orbis International and AirAsia Group (formerly known as AirAsia X Bhd) are joining forces to support stronger eye health systems and more sustainable access to care across Asia-Pacific.
As part of the partnership, AirAsia will provide US$100,000 (RM409,100) in airfare support per year over the next five years, helping Orbis teams work alongside local hospitals, health ministries, training institutions, and eye care professionals across the region. AirAsia will also support efforts to increase visibility for avoidable vision loss and the importance of investing in sustainable eye health systems.
The partnership comes at a critical time for eye health across Asia-Pacific, where growing populations, rising rates of chronic disease, workforce shortages, and unequal access to care are increasing the need for scalable, locally led solutions. Orbis works throughout Asia and has long-term programmes established in many areas where AirAsia is based including Bangladesh, China, India, and Vietnam.
For more than 40 years, Orbis has been a fixture in aviation and innovation through the Flying Eye Hospital, a fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on board an aircraft. This partnership with AirAsia will support Orbis’s long-term impact across its global eye care work – from the Flying Eye Hospital to Cybersight, its telemedicine and e-learning platform, as well as long-term country programmes and work with local partners – all focused on creating sustainable impact through innovation, technology, local workforce development, and stronger health systems.
By combining AirAsia’s regional reach with Orbis’s long-term presence, digital platforms, and locally led programmes, the partnership can help move eye care closer to the people who need it and support sustainable progress across Asia-Pacific.
“We are grateful to AirAsia for joining Orbis in a strategic partnership focused on raising awareness about the importance of eye health and helping strengthen access to quality eye care across the Asia-Pacific region,” said Orbis International president and CEO Kathleen Sherwin.
“Together, we can help strengthen local capacity, connect eye care teams with training and technology, and support sustainable systems that continue serving communities long after any single project ends. This is how we create lasting impact – through partnership, innovation, and a shared commitment to ensuring more people can access the care they need to see, learn, work, and thrive.”
AirAsia Group CEO Bo Lingam said at AirAsia, their purpose has always been about more than connecting destinations and they are incredibly proud to support Orbis in a meaningful way.
He added that by combining the reach of their network with Orbis’s expertise, they can help bring life-changing eye care, training and technology closer to the communities that need it most.
“We look forward to building a partnership that continues to strengthen the region we proudly call home,” he said.
As the need for quality eye care grows across Asia-Pacific, Orbis is focused on delivering lasting solutions. With AirAsia’s support, it can bring people, training and technology closer to communities in need, strengthening care today while building more resilient eye health systems for the future.