STORY TO BE TOLD

Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes with AirAsia’s 100 millionth passenger, Irma Dewi from Indonesia.

AirAsia flies 100 millionth passenger, says Thai AirAsia plans share offer by 3Q 2011

PETALING JAYA: Thai AirAsia, which is 49% owned by AirAsia Bhd, plans to list on Thai bourse latest by the third quarter of next year, said Thai AirAsia chief executive officer Tassapon Biljlveld.

“We hope to list by the end of the second quarter or by the third quarter of next year,” he told reporters yesterday at AirAsia’s celebration for its 100 millionth passenger flown.

Tassapon said the company was preparing for the listing and had not decided on the structure of its proposed initial public offering.

While Thai AirAsia has spoken with the Thai regulator, it has yet to file for a listing or decide on an underwriter.

“Our target will be to have a market capitalisation of some US$500mil to US$550mil (with the listing). But we will decide later on what portion of shares will be up for offer,” he said.

Tassapon said the fund-raising plan to strengthen its financial position would help the airline finance its own planes.

“We currently have 19 planes and will have about 40 in the next three to five years,” he added.

AirAsia Bhd group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said it was unlikely that the low-cost carrier would use aerobridges at the new permanent low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT).

“What would be best is to have some aerobridges in case it rains and we can pay as we utilise it,” he said.

AirAsia has resisted using aerobridges at the temporary LCCT as it seeks to maintain a 25-minute turnaround time and low operating cost.

However, AirAsia utilises aerobridges at international airports. Local airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) charges RM85 for an aerobridge per flight (one way).

Fernandes maintains that using aerobridges may eat into the airline’s turnaround time, especially with the LCCT being the central hub for the departure of its flights.

“When you have many planes departing in a tight time frame and factoring in the push back of aircraft, using aerobridges can affect the turnaround time,” he said.

He added that AirAsia was currently discussing with MAHB to work out a more attractive scheme that would allow the airline to pass on savings to passengers. “We are trying to get more incentives to cover the next five to 10 years as the airline continues to grow,” he said.

On its financial performance, Fernandes said AirAsia saw a strong third quarter, driven by higher passenger volume, and expects AirAsia to see its best fourth quarter ever.

“Our load factor has been very strong. For the first two weeks of October, it has been about 80%,” he said.

Meanwhile, a decision on the quantum of a dividend payout will be made once the airline’s financial year ends in December, as the AirAsia board deliberates on a proposed dividend policy in its next meeting.

Credits to & sources and picture taken from: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/

AirAsia X optimistic over Tokyo route in December

PETALING JAYA: Long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X will fly to Japan in December, with three non-stop flights a week from KL International Airport to Haneda in Tokyo.

Chief executive officer Azran Osman Rani said considering its status as the world’s largest metro­politan city, Tokyo was an important feeder market for the airline to move into the growing international network.

“The three weekly flights will strengthen our historic business and tourism links with Japan’s commercial centre,” he said.

Azran said he estimated that more than 60% of the passengers between Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo would be first-time visitors, adding that new market segments could be created from the tourism growth.

To mark its new destination, Air Asia X is offering promotional fares for a one-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo from as low as RM99. The tickets will be available from Sept 23 to Sept 26 for travel period Dec 9 to Jul 31, 2011.

The seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and tickets are only available online via www.airasia.com and mobile.airasia.com.

Passengers will travel in a brand new A330 aircraft with standard business class “Premium Flat Bed” seats that feature universal power sockets, adjustable headrests and built-in personal utilities, such as tray table, drink holder, reading light and privacy screen.

AirASia X currently flies to destinations in Australia, India, Taiwan, China, Europe and Korea.

More news on: http://thestar.com.my/news/

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AirAsia tickets sell like hot cakes

PETALING JAYA: Over half a million AirAsia tickets were snapped up within a day when the airline’s “Mind Blowing Fare” promotion of RM1 per seat started on Tuesday.

AirAsia also recorded its highest number of sales in an hour, selling 36,871 seats, which is a 47.5% increase from the previous record of 25,000.

The campaign offers flights to selected domestic and Asean desti­nations at RM1, including Alor Setar, Johor Baru, Langkawi, Penang, Singapore, Bandung (Indo­­­nesia), Phnom Penh (Cam­bodia) and Krabi and Phuket in Thailand.

The RM1 fare is applicable for one-way travel only and does not include taxes.

AirAsia group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said the low-cost airline credited a newly implemented system for expanding its booking capacity.

“With the new booking system New Skies, AirAsia can now accept up to almost one million flight bookings a day,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Booking for the RM1 air fare campaign is open until Aug 15, 2010 and is valid only for travelling next year between April 1 and Aug 11.

When asked about the return ticket price, AirAsia communications executive Daphne Cheah said “our fares are based on a tier system.”

“We (AirAsia) might say return fares are from RM50, but if it’s all snapped up and people can’t find it, we would be branded liars.

“We try not to put return fares as it may mislead people,” she said, adding that AirAsia kept to its practice of displaying one-way fares.

Credits to and source taken from: http://thestar.com.my/