KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia X Bhd
(AAX) posted a solid passenger load factor (PLF) of 83%, an increase of three percentage points year-on-year (YoY) in the first quarter of 2024.
The carrier also saw its available seat per kilometre (ASK) metric rise by 74% YoY to 5,039 million, with the addition of more flights to its expanding network.
AAX saw a 90% YoY increase in passengers to 959,623, surpassing the growth in ASK capacity, driven by higher travel demand during peak periods like festive seasons and school holidays.
In terms of network, AirAsia X Malaysia launched its maiden flight to Almaty, Kazakhstan in March 2024 in its quest to enter Central Asia, starting with four times weekly flights.
The carrier also increased flight frequencies on popular routes in China such as Chengdu (7 times per week), Beijing (7 times per week), and Shanghai (11 times per week), along with increasing Bali, Indonesia flights to nine times per week.
This effectively contributed to the 85% YoY increase in the company’s number of stages to 3,184 during the quarter under review.
It associate, AAX Thailand recorded a PLF of 89%, marginally up by one percentage point driven by a 51% growth YoY in the number of passengers carried to 437,764 during the quarter under review.
In line with the reactivation of one aircraft into its operational fleet in 1Q24, AirAsia X Thailand reported an increase of 50% YoY in the number of sectors flown to 1,329, while its ASK Capacity grew by over 37% YoY to 2,199 million during the quarter.
As at end-March, AAX's fleet comprises 18 A330s, with 16 aircraft activated and in operation.
AAX Thailand’s fleet size on the other hand stood at seven A330s, with six aircraft activated and operational.
