SINGAPORE — Colin and May Schooling, who are the parents of newly-crowned Olympic swimming champion Joseph Schooling, will now be able to fly to more than 70 destinations around Asia, Oceania, and Africa for free after the couple were offered free flights on AirAsia till 2018.

The airline had previously announced after the Rio Olympic Games that it would provide “free flights for life” to all ASEAN athletes who had won gold at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Athletes who won silver and bronze medals would get free AirAsia flights for five and two years respectively.

Schooling, who created Singapore sporting history by winning the men’s 100m butterfly gold, had requested for his parents to use his gift until he graduates from the University of Texas in two years’ time. This is because the 21-year is currently unable to accept any commercial deals due to the National Collegiate Athletic Association rules.

AirAsia chief executive officer Tony Fernandes said in an interview with Yahoo Singapore that he had been inspired by Schooling’s triumph over American great Michael Phelps in the butterfly final in Rio.

“All the while, we have seen Americans or Australians dominating the sport but Schooling was an inspiration,” said Fernandes.

“It was more inspiring for me when I saw a picture of Schooling and Michael Phelps on social media, which was taken when Schooling was a young boy.”

May Schooling was delighted to hear about AirAsia’s gesture, as she told TODAY: “I would like to thank them for their generosity. It is so generous of them to offer this to all the (medal winning) athletes.

“They are a great example for companies, and I hope that more companies like AirAsia will give their support to athletes. It’s very encouraging that he (Fernandes) is leading the way.”

A total of 21 athletes from Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia were awarded their gifts of free air travel by AirAsia at a ceremony in Bangkok on Thursday (Sept 8).