AirAsia has signed up as the Official Airline Partner for the 29th Southeast Asian Games and 9th Asean Para Games.

As a Gold Sponsor, AirAsia will provide flights for Malaysia Organising Committee (MASOC) officials within the airline's extensive Asean network for the purpose of organising the Games.

AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said, "AirAsia is proud to fly the SEA Games and Asean Para Games. As a truly Asean airline, we wholeheartedly support the region's biggest gathering of top athletes and para-athletes.

"The Games are a good example of what the region can achieve as one, and we are thrilled to have this opportunity to promote that vision of unity through greater connectivity.

"This also marks the start of a deeper, more meaningful engagement with the sports community through our Dare to Dream platform, which will see AirAsia help up-and-coming athletes from Asean and beyond realise their full potential."

MASOC chairman YB Brig Gen Khairy Jamaluddin said, "I am very proud of AirAsia's continuous commitment and willingness to support the national and regional sports agenda.

"It is very evident that AirAsia is determined and committed to giving back to the community via sports and I really appreciate it."

The SEA Games and Asean Para Games are the biggest sporting events in Asean, aimed at promoting understanding and cooperation among the region's countries through friendly competition.

A total of 405 events in 38 sports will be contested in this year's SEA Games by athletes from all 10 Asean nations and Timor Leste from 19-31 August 2017, with the closing ceremony coinciding with Malaysia's 60th Independence Day.

The Asean Para Games, which will be held from 17-23 September 2017, will see para-athletes with cerebral palsy, mobility disabilities, visual disabilities and amputations from Asean vie for a podium finish in 16 para-sports.

This will be the sixth time Malaysia hosts the SEA Games and the third time it hosts the Asean Para Games.

Kuala Lumpur 2017 will be the first Games to be held after the formation of the Asean Community 2015, as reflected in its theme "Rising Together".