AirAsia X Expects 25 Per Cent Growth This Year, Says CEO

SEPANG, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- AirAsia X Bhd, the long-haul arm of the AirAsia Group, expects 25 per cent growth this year via the setting up of AirAsia X Thai, its new investment in Thailand.

Chief Executive Officer Azran Osman Rani said details of AirAsia X's first international hub in Thailand will be announced soon. Besides Thailand, AirAsia X would look for more joint ventures in North Asia and Australia, he said.

"The joint venture move is among AirAsia X's business strategy for the international market after its success in Malaysia. Now, we are looking at the international hub to increase our flight routes," he told reporters after attending AirAsia X's Super Sixth anniversary at the low-cost carrier terminal here Wednesday.

"Apart from AirAsia X's new operations in Thailand, the forecast growth will also be generated by its seven new planes which will be delivered next year. "We are targeting 32 planes in the next three to four years and in 2014 AirAsia X will receive seven new planes," he said. The purchase of the new planes would be financed from the proceeds raised from AirAsia X's June listing, he said.

Azran said the other factor that would contribute to AirAsia X's growth would be the timely completion of KLIA2, as the exiting low-cost terminal was unable to cater for heavy air traffic due to a shortage of parking bays. "We are looking to move to KLIA2 and hope it will be completed on time next year, KLIA2 will be a tremendous platform for AirAsia X to grow.

"The airline now serves 14 destinations across Asia, Australia and the Middle East," he added.
-bernama.