AirAsia X Records 20.9% Growth in First Quarter 2013

SEPANG, 2 May 2013- AirAsia X Berhad, Asia’s leading long-haul, low cost carrier, an affiliate of the AirAsia Group has recorded a strong growth in the first quarter of 2013, carrying 0.65million passengers, a growth of 20.9% over the same quarter in 2012 for its continuing routes.

Aircraft fleet as at 31 March 2013 remains at 9 Airbus A330s and 2 Airbus A340s, but the tenth A330 was delivered in April 2013. On 16 February 2013, AirAsia X Berhad launched its inaugural flight to Jeddah followed by Shanghai on 19th February 2013. AirAsia X now flies to 14 destinations globally, with Busan as its 15th destination commencing services on 15th July this year.

In terms of passenger traffic, AirAsia X Berhad recorded 3.3billion Revenue-Passenger-Kms (RPKs) for Q1-2013 whilst capacity recorded at 3.9billion, resulting in a load factor of 84% and solidifying its position as the second-largest low-cost carrier in Southeast Asia, after AirAsia Berhad. RPKs and ASKs increased by 21.7% and 26.7% respectively in comparison with same quarter in 2012 for continuing routes.

Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X said, “This year AirAsia X will continue to focus on increasing capacity in our identified core markets including Australia, China, Taiwan Korea, and Japan. The addition of 7 aircraft in 2013 will see AirAsia X expand further in the long-haul segment across Asia Pacific. Our move to KLIA 2 this year will also provide us the right infrastructure and enhanced ground facilities needed to support our growing network and feeder traffic for better connectivity within the AirAsia Group.”

“AirAsia X is also seeking ways to maximise our passenger revenue, and develop new ancillary revenue streams. We aim to grow our fleet of new fuel efficient aircraft to meet passenger demand and our expanding route mix and continue to implement initiatives to strengthen operations quality and cost structure,” added Azran.

Cargo operations continues to be strong, with AirAsia X carrying 7,482 tonnes of freight in the first quarter and registering a 47% (5,106 tonnes,Q1 2012) growth from a year ago for its continuing routes.