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PETALING JAYA: AirAsia Bhd recorded a load factor of 85%, in the fourth quarter of 2016, up 2 percentage points from the same period last year.
The carrier said the total number of passengers carried increased 7% year-on-year (yoy) to 14.51 million, well ahead of the 5% increase in seat capacity.
At the end of the quarter under review, the group’s total fleet size stood at 172 aircraft (174 including two aircraft delivered to AirAsia Japan but yet to commence operations).
For FY2016, the group carried a total of 56.59 million passengers for a load factor of 86%.
AirAsia said its Malaysian operations achieved a load factor of 87% in 4Q16, up 2 percentage points year-on-year. It added that demand exceeded the 2% yoy increase in capacity, with the number of passengers carried rising by 5% yoy to 6.76 million. AirAsia Malaysia ended the quarter with a fleet size of 77 aircraft.
Thai AirAsia, meanwhile, posted a load factor of 82% in 4Q16, unchanged yoy. The number of passengers carried was 4.37 million, an increase of 8% yoy, near to the capacity growth of 10% yoy. For FY2016,
“Thai AirAsia took two additional aircraft during the quarter, ending the year with a fleet of 51 aircraft. For FY16, Thai AirAsia carried 17.22 million passengers and posted a load factor of 84%, up 3 percentage points from FY15,” AirAsia said in a statement.
Indonesia AirAsia posted a load factor of 83% in 4Q16, up 3 percentage points yoy. The number of passengers carried totalled 1.55 million on a reduced capacity of 10% yoy, in line with the turnaround strategy. For FY16, Indonesia AirAsia carried 6.52 million passengers and averaged a load factor of 84%.
Philippines AirAsia reported a load factor of 85% while AirAsia India posted a load factor of 86% in 4Q16.
Meanwhile, AirAsia X Bhd
(AAX) said its 4Q16’s overall operating performance has improved yoy, resulting from the successful turnaround initiatives implemented during the year.
“In 4Q16, the company recorded high double-digit increase in passengers carried of 40% yoy to 1.38 million, in-line with capacity growth of 43% yoy. The huge capacity injected during the quarter was to cater demand rising from year-end holiday travel,” it said in a separate statement.
AAX said passenger load factor dropped two percentage points to 81% against 83% for the same period last year, as available seat per Kilometers (ASK) grew 44% yoy to 8,474 million in 4Q16.
“Operationally, FY16 has been a success turnaround story with various phases of turnaround initiative was carried out positively during the year.
“Moving forward into 2017, AAX remains cautious and anticipate a challenging environment, however, the management remains confident to ensure sustainable growth,” it said.
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