AirAsia X records 27% jump in passenger load in Q2

AirAsia X Berhad chairman Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz launching the Niseko Super Summer Saver packages, a collaboration with MY ecolodge.

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia X Bhd (AAX) carried 1.03 million passengers in the second quarter of 2016 (2Q16), an increase of 27% from 810,944 passengers in 2Q15.

In a statement, the airline said despite historically being the leanest quarter, operating performance in 2Q16 exceeded expectations due to demand across all regions, following the ongoing turnaround plan initiated last year.

“The double-digit increase of 27% year-on-year (y-o-y) exceeded capacity which grew 13% y-o-y. 

“The capacity injected was well-absorbed with strong demand returned across all regions resulting in the passenger load factor (PLF) improving by seven percentage points (ppts) to 75% against 68% in the same period last year,” it said.

In the quarter, Malaysia AirAsia X increased frequencies on four routes, namely Kuala Lumpur, Perth, Melbourne, Sapporo and Osaka, boosted by growing demand. 

Meanwhile, Thai AirAsia X recorded a healthy PLF of 89%, an increase of 17 ppts from 72% a year ago, while Indonesia AirAsia X posted 75% (up 26 ppts).

The AirAsia X Group total fleet size accounted for 31 Airbus A330 aircraft as at end-2Q16.

“We will continue to strengthen our core markets, especially China, which recorded a 18% jump in Chinese arrivals into Malaysia from 12 months ago. We will also explore other strategic initiatives to ensure sustainable growth going forward,” AirAsia X said. - Bernama