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Tag: airasia

  • AirAsia plans to launch BigCoin, a crypto-based reward system

    AirAsia plans to launch BigCoin, a crypto-based reward system

    Tony Fernandes, the CEO of AirAsia has announced that the airline plans to convert its frequent-flyer rewards program into a crypto-based reward system known as BigCoin. Tony was speaking to us when he made the statement.

    The Malaysian low-cost airline is trying to move towards a cashless system and at the same time improve the airline’s digital services. In the publication made on Nikkei on Thursday, Tony describes the system as something that will allow customers to buy seats, buy in-flight meals, upgrade seats and other services by use of BigCoin. All these services will be in addition to existing fiat currency options.

    He also goes on to tell Nikkei Asian Review that he foresees a situation where the airline will launch an initial coin offering very soon. While he didn’t provide a concrete timeline when this will happen, the article suggests it might occur anywhere between three and six months from now.

    So far there have been no details released by the airline if it’s developing its own blockchain or if it’s utilizing an existing platform. The Asian carrier isn’t the only airline looking at the blockchain as a crypto-based reward system in recent months. Singapore Airlines on Feb. 5 announced they were planning to launch a digital wallet that was to be powered by the blockchain and it would serve the frequent-flyer KrisFlyer program.

    The airline said the program would enable members of the KrisFlyer program to spend their air miles at any retail members for any point of sale transactions. The company goes on to say the initiative comes after a successful trial of proof-of-concept that was done in collaboration with Microsoft and KPMG and they are currently signing up retail merchants based in Singapore to join the blockchain based service.

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  • AirAsia in talks to set up airline serving Myanmar

    AirAsia in talks to set up airline serving Myanmar

    AirAsia Bhd is in talks with a potential partner to open an airline serving Myanmar, in a move that would help the low-cost carrier cover up to 95% of the Southeast Asian travel market.

    In an interview with Reuters today, the airline’s group chief executive Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said he also expected AirAsia’s Vietnam joint venture to be flying by October.

    AirAsia now has businesses in Malaysia – its home – along with India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan and Thailand, as well as plans to launch an airline in China.

    “Once you’ve covered Vietnam and Myanmar, you’ve got all the big (Southeast Asian) populations,” Fernandes said. “Vietnam – we’re talking about October, we’ve had great support from the Vietnam government and we have a great partner. My team are very bullish.

    “It’s not going to be a big airline there (Myanmar), because the airport infrastructure is not there. But it is 50 million people and it will develop over time,” said Fernandes, who was in Sydney over the weekend for the Asean-Australia special summit.

    He added: “We had a good meeting with someone in Sydney – he’s got a good airline that we’ve known for a long time and he is a well-respected guy. We’re going through that process.”

    He did not name the potential partner.

    Fernandes was in Hong Kong for the launch of what he has termed a “We’re More Than an Airline” pitch, which he was due to present to analysts and investors at Credit Suisse’s Asia Investment Conference.

  • AirAsia shares down on news of special dividend

    AirAsia shares down on news of special dividend

    AirAsia Malaysia share price fell 1.52% at mid day after it plans to use the bulk of the cash proceeds from the sale of its aircraft leasing operations Asia Aviation Capital Ltd to pay out a special dividend to shareholders and settle bank borrowings to improve its financial leverage.

    At 12pm today, AAB’s share price stood at RM4.53 with 13.49 million shares changing hands.

    AAB will sell Asia Aviation Capital Ltd for US$1.18 billion to BBAM Limited Partnership (BBAM) managed entities.

    Under the terms of the agreements, FLY Leasing Limited (FLY), Incline B Aviation Limited Partnership (Incline), Nomura Babcock and Brown (NBB) will acquire a portfolio of 84 aircraft and 14 engines of which 79 Aircraft and 14 engines will be leased back to AirAsia and its affiliates.

    FLY and Incline have also entered into agreements to acquire 48 aircraft to be delivered to AAB and an option to acquire a further 50 aircraft to be delivered.

  • AirAsia to fly to Hua Hin, Thailand from May 18

    AirAsia to fly to Hua Hin, Thailand from May 18

    AirAsia, is set to fly to Hua Hin, Thailand, with four times weekly direct flights from here, starting May 18. In a statement today, AirAsia said the route, operated on flight code AK, marked the airline’s seventh route into Thailand while providing the widest network in ASEAN and connecting the road less travelled in the region to the world.

    Head of Commercial, Spencer Lee, said the airline carried about 1.3 million of guests from Kuala Lumpur to Thailand and is positive that Hua Hin would be the new preferred holiday destination, while further contributing to tourism growth for both cities.

    “AirAsia currently operates 165 weekly flights one way to Thailand, including Bangkok (80 times weekly), Phuket (35 times weekly), Krabi (21 times weekly), Hat Yai (7 times weekly), Chiang Mai (14 times weekly), and Pattaya (4 times weekly) and now Hua Hin,” he said.

    To celebrate the launch of this new route, AirAsia is offering promotional all-in-fares from RM79 for one way from now to March 4, 2018, for the travel period between May 18, 2018, and Oct 26, 2018.

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  • AirAsia eyes Sarawak hub

    AirAsia eyes Sarawak hub

    AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur Int’l) is in talks with the government of the Malaysian state of Sarawak over plans to develop Kuching International Airport. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg told a press conference this week that he was certain the negotiations would be fruitful thus leading to increased tourism to the region.

    According to The Star newspaper, AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said the low-cost carrier conglomerate was willing to proceed with the construction of an LCC terminal in Kuching. The facility is estimated to cost between MYR200-300 million ringgits (USD51-77 million). However, the final go-ahead would depend on the cost of the land needed for building.

    “We are ready (to go ahead with the project once project approval is obtained from the Sarawak government),” he said. “Sarawak is a brilliant point between North Asia and Australia. We see it as a Dubai of this part of the world. People come out from Australia can stop in Kuching before they go to China and vice-versa; China, Korea and Japan can stop in Sarawak for a few days and go down to Australia. I think it is an equitable distance and it’s a great location and that is why I am very keen to have our hub here.”

    Should the project proceed, AirAsia intends to bolster connectivity between Sarawak and other domestic and international destinations.

  • Now you can WhatsApp and fly with AirAsia

    Now you can WhatsApp and fly with AirAsia

    Members of AirAsia’s loyalty programme will be able to enjoy free in-flight Internet on carriers with ROKKI WiFi starting from today.

    All AirAsia BIG members will receive 2MB chat plans for apps WhatsApp, WeChat, LINE, KakaoTalk and Viber that can be activated when they fly on ROKKI-enabled flights.

    Rokki chief executive officer Lalitha Sivanaser said the company recognised the importance of staying connected on the move, even during a flight.

    “Connectivity is integral to our lives. We hope this free inflight Internet will help guests stay in touch with their friends and family and get the latest updates no matter where they are.

    “ROKKI is continuously advancing the digital transformation on board, further enhancing the inflight portal that offers entertainment, news, and exciting shopping deals on their personal mobile devices while flying,” added Sivanaser.

    To redeem the plan, BIG Members need only connect to the ROKKI portal using their AirAsia BIG login details.

    The experience is available on any of AirAsia’s 44 ROKKI-enabled aircraft with free connection via personal mobile device.

    ROKKI is an inflight entertainment and connectivity platform that offers guests free entertainment, music, games and news, as well as shopping features.

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  • Air Asia X to stop flights from Mumbai

    Air Asia X to stop flights from Mumbai

    Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia has decided to pull out its flights from Mumbai to Kuala Lumpur from April 30.

    AirAsia India spokesperson saying passengers booked on the sector after April 29 will be allowed to either re-route through other destinations, get a credit refund, change the travel date or get a full refund.

    The Mumbai-Kuala Lumpur flight has been popular with tourists to Malaysia and Bali, where Air Asia has excellent connections. If you were planning your South Asia summer holiday, you still have three good options from Mumbai. The following airlines operate non-stop flights:

    Malindo Air flies to to Kuala Lumpur from Mumbai every day, with a flight duration of 5 hours and 20 minutes. Book your tickets here.

    Malaysia Airlines also has daily non-stop flights between Mumbai and Kuala Lumpur. Book tickets here.

    Jet Airways flights, operated by Malaysia Airlines as a part of codeshare, will also take you to Kuala Lumpur in just 5 hours 20 minutes. Book here.

    Other primary carriers that will get you there with 1 short stop along the way include Singapore Airlines, Air India, Emirates, Etihad, Cathay Pacific and Sri Lankan Airlines, to name a few.

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  • AirAsia India to add up to 70 jets for local and international growth

    AirAsia India to add up to 70 jets for local and international growth

    AirAsia India is looking to add up to 70 aircraft to its fleet over the next 4-5 years, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amar Abrol has said.

    “We are expanding aggressively and aiming to be among the top three in the low-cost carrier (LCC) segment once we have inducted 60-70 aircraft in our fleet,” AirAsia India chief executive Amar Abrol told India’s ANI news agency in an interview last week.

    The AirAsia Group/Tata Group joint venture currently operates fourteen A320-200s on flights to 17 cities and towns across India and will be eligible for international flights once its fleet surpasses 20 aircraft, now likely to occur in either late 2018/early 2019.

    “We are right now at 14 aircraft. The 15th comes in on February 24 and we have got six more on order this year. This will allow us to be a designated international carrier and then every year subsequent we will continue to add about 8-10 aircraft depending on how we perform as a business. They will be deployed both domestically and internationally,” he added.

    Abrol said a “significant” number of the 70 aircraft would likely be purchased, while the rest will be leased. Of its current fleet of 14 aircraft, 12 are leased with only two owned.

    On AirAsia Group founder and CEO Tony Fernandes’ recent comments to the effect that AirAsia India was looking to hold an IPO, Abrol said the company had yet to appoint a banker to start the process and that a decision to that effect will come from the board.

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  • AirAsia India plans to add up to 70 planes to its fleet in 5 years

    AirAsia India plans to add up to 70 planes to its fleet in 5 years

    Low-cost carrier AirAsia India plans to add up to 70 aircraft to its fleet over the next 4-5 years as it seeks to aggressively expand services, domestic market share, and network, a top executive at the firm said in an interview.

    “We are expanding aggressively and aiming to be among the top three in the low-cost carrier (LCC) segment once we have inducted 60-70 aircraft in our fleet,” AirAsia India chief executive Amar Abrol said.

    The airline, a joint venture between Malaysia’s AirAsia Bhd and India’s Tata Sons, expects to double its revenue to Rs1,200 crore in 2017, and take it to Rs1,800 crore in 2018, Abrol added.

    During the year ended 31 December 2016, the company narrowed its losses to Rs140.32 crore from Rs181.70 crore in the previous year, according to data available with the Registrar of Companies (RoC).

    AirAsia India’s financial year starts from 1 January and it is yet to disclose numbers for the Indian operations during the year ended 31 December 2017.

    A significant number of the 70 aircraft that the airline plans to add are likely to be purchased, while the rest will be leased. Like its parent AirAsia Bhd, AirAsia India has an all-Airbus fleet and will place the aircraft order through its parent to get favourable prices.

    “All aircraft orders will be done at the group level, where commitments have been made to purchase aircraft from Airbus over a period of time,” Abrol said.

    “We draw best practices from our parent, AirAsia Bhd, and also take advantage of economies of scale while placing orders for aircraft,” Abrol said, adding that there is a significant cost advantage with the parent, which already owns a significant fleet, negotiating with lessors and aircraft manufacturers for its subsidiary.

    Abrol did not share any estimate of the investment the company plans to make on aircraft acquisition.

    An industry expert who spoke on condition of anonymity pegged the size of AirAsia India’s order to Airbus at $3 billion.

    For a no-frills airline like AirAsia India to reach the market leadership position, the company either needs to be the leader in the revenue segment or be the top company in keeping costs down—both are not in AirAsia’s favour right now, according to a sector analyst.

    “The biggest challenge faced by AirAsia India is that they don’t have good slots at major Indian airports. As a result, they find it difficult to compete with bigger airlines in the no-frills space. They should aggressively expand their regional markets, as they could miss out on growth if they fail to get good slots at some of the major regional hubs. They also need to check their costs, as it is higher than some of its competitors and bring it down from the current levels. Otherwise the path for AirAsia India to break even is a difficult one,” the analyst said, requesting anonymity.

    “Getting to profitability is absolutely essential for us but not at the cost of stalling expansion,” Abrol said. “We are investing heavily on people, infrastructure, aircraft, and expansion.” He expects AirAsia India to break even by January-March 2019.

    A consultant said that he does not expect the airline to grow in double digits or even high single digits in 2018-19.

    “Rising fuel prices are a huge challenge for airlines and are expected to affect low-cost carriers adversely. We don’t expect the airline to grow in double digits or high single digits in FY19,” Peeyush Naidu, partner, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP, said.

    AirAsia India has also expressed the intent to go for an initial public offering to meet its investment requirements. But, according to Abrol, the company has not appointed a banker to start the process and a decision to that effect will come from the board.

    AirAsia India, which had a market share of 3.7% in 2017, up from 1.7% in 2015, carried 43.23 lakh passengers in calendar year 2017, according to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) data.

    The LLC segment in India was led by Interglobe Aviation-run IndiGo, which registered a 39.6% market share, and carried 4.64 crore passengers. Other no-frills airlines like SpiceJet (12.8%) and GoAir (9.1%) carried 41.12 lakh and 29.38 lakh passengers, respectively during the same period.

  • Indonesia AirAsia adds two Singapore services on same day

    Indonesia AirAsia adds two Singapore services on same day

    Indonesia AirAsia added two new Singapore (SIN) services from Medan (KNO) and Padang (PDG) on 9 February. The 621-kilometre Medan link and the 472-kilometre Padang connection will both be served with daily flights operated by A320s.

    The LCC faces incumbent competition on the Medan-Singapore airport pair which is already served by SilkAir with double-daily flights, Jetstar Asia, which has 12 weekly frequencies, and Garuda Indonesia which operates daily flights. However there is no direct competition on the Padang route.

    AirAsia Singapore CEO Logan Velaitham said: “The inaugural flights to Padang and Medan emphasise our commitment to expand Singapore’s network as one of AirAsia’s hubs by linking up to new cities in Indonesia. In 2017, AirAsia Group carried a total of 4.3 million passengers to and from Singapore, an increase of 1.8% from the previous year.”

  • AirAsia Opens 3 New Routes in Indonesia

    AirAsia Opens 3 New Routes in Indonesia

    AirAsia Indonesia, a budget carrier based in Tangerang, Banten, announced on Friday (09/02) it has opened three new routes, two international and one domestic, to tap into the increasing demand for air travels.

    The carrier, an affiliate of Southeast Asian low-cost airline AirAsia, opened new routes to Singapore from Medan, North Sumatra, and Padang, West Sumatra, and from Jakarta to Medan.

    The flights are served on Airbus A320 airchraft with 180 seats.

    “The opening of the new routes from Padang and Medan showed that AirAsia’s network expansion in Indonesia is not centered in Jakarta and Bali only,” AirAsia Indonesia Dendy Kurniawan chief executive said in a statement.

    Dendy said AirAsia Indonesia expects that the direct flights to Singapore from the capitals of two provinces of the Sumatra island, coupled with low-cost tickets, will attract more visitors from the city-state.

  • AirAsia bullish on India market

    AirAsia bullish on India market

    Low-cost, long-haul carrier AirAsia X Bhd, which has started operating its Kuala Lumpur-Jaipur route, is hoping toincrease its services in and out of India, a market in which it sees potential.

    “We would love to put a lot more flights if regulators allow us to. Right now we are having trouble getting slots into India, with a lot of Malaysian carriers going into India as opposed to Indian carriers coming into Malaysia. That is the challenge,” said AirAsia Bhd executive chairman and AirAsia X group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun.

    On top of that, he said, AirAsia X is looking to increase the frequency of the Kuala Lumpur-Jaipur route to daily from the current four times a week.

    With a potential annual seat capacity of over 156,800 seats, it is eyeing a load factor of 75-80% for the route this year.

    AirAsia X chairman Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz (fourth from left), Kamarudin (second from left), airline executives and other dignitaries, flanked by cabin crew, celebrating the successful inaugural flight to Jaipur from Kuala Lumpur.

    Kamarudin was speaking at the inaugural flight celebration ceremony. The Kuala Lumpur-Jaipur route is the second direct flight service connecting India and Malaysia offered by AirAsia X after the launch of the Kuala Lumpur-New Delhi direct service in February 2016.

    The Jaipur-Kuala Lumpur service brings the total weekly flights connecting India to Malaysia under AirAsia group to 110 times with a total capacity of 22,755 seats.

    AirAsia X Malaysia has carried over 184,000 passengers in and out of India since the introduction of the Kuala Lumpur-New Delhi route.

    AirAsia group, which comprises AirAsia X and short-haul arm AirAsia, currently serves a total of 19 cities.

    Recently, AirAsia Bhd group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes was quoted as saying that the group is looking to buy Boeing 787s to expand the fleet of its long-haul unit.

    On this, Kamarudin said it is “still under discussion”.

    “At this stage I think it’s premature to talk about it. We are evaluating from a technical aspect and pricing and all those. To confirm it is premature.”

  • AirAsia, AirAsia X Malaysia log increase in passenger volume, load factor in Q4 2017

    AirAsia, AirAsia X Malaysia log increase in passenger volume, load factor in Q4 2017

    Budget airlines AirAsia Bhd and its long-haul carrier counterpart AirAsia X Bhd registered higher year-on-year passenger volume and load factor in the fourth quarter of 2017.

    Air Asia carried 10.44 million passengers between October and December 2017, which is a 17% increase from the previous year’s 8.25 million, in line with the 16% seat capacity increase to 11.93 million.

    The low-cost carrier, which saw an expansion to its fleet to 116 aircraft, also saw its load factor improve by 1% to 88% against the 87% registered in the same quarter in 2016.

    Meanwhile, its Malaysian operations reported a 15% increase in passenger volume to 7.79 million from 6.76 million in the quarter under review.

    AirAsia commenced 10 new routes, five originating from Malaysia, two from the Philippines and three from India, while AirAsia Japan commenced its first flight on October 29, 2017, flying between Nagoya and Sapporo.

    On another note, AirAsia X carried 1.54 million passengers in the last quarter of 2017, translating into a 12% increase from the fourth quarter of 2016. Load factor improved 2% to 83% while capacity expanded 10% to 1.87 million from 1.7 million.s

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  • AirAsia to add around 30 jets this year amid strong demand

    AirAsia to add around 30 jets this year amid strong demand

    Budget airline group AirAsia plans to add around 30 jets to its airline affiliates across Asia this year due to strong demand growth across the region, chief executive Tony Fernandes said on Tuesday.

    AirAsia, which flies close to 200 airplanes and is the largest operator of Airbus’s best-selling A320 jet, has airlines in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and Japan and plans to grow in China and Vietnam.

    “We’ve been able to get the Philippines and Indonesia really rocking, turning them into little gems,” Fernandes told on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

    “Demand is good, the ancillary model is doing well and our JV business using our data has started moving.” Fernandes said the board of AirAsia’s Indian arm, a joint venture with Tata Group, had approved plans to pursue an initial public offering and was appointing bankers for initial work.

    “India is going to be a real nice surprise for AirAsia,” he said.

    The Indian government this month said it would allow foreign investors to participate in a planned privatisation process for rival state-owned carrier Air India, but Fernandes on Tuesday ruled out AirAsia’s involvement.

    “We know what we are good at – low cost,” he said. “Air India is a great airline, but it is really not our business model and not something that we would be involved in.”

    Fernandes told on Tuesday the group will look at ordering more airplanes “eventually but not at present”.

    AirAsia also has no plans to bring forward deliveries despite strong demand, he said.

    Since Fernandes bought what was then a debt-laden carrier for the token price of one Malaysian rinngit in 2001, AirAsia has expanded to become one of the world’s largest low-cost airline groups as well as one of Airbus’s biggest customers worldwide.

    Industry experts have begun to question whether AirAsia will remain exclusively linked to Airbus as it expands, with some suggesting that Boeing 787s could fit into its long-haul operations. Boeing and Airbus are fighting for twin-aisle sales.

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  • AirAsia and Uber partner over seamless travel

    AirAsia and Uber partner over seamless travel

    AirAsia passengers will be able to book or schedule rides from Uber through AirAsia once they have booked their tickets and become eligible for promotions.

    The ride-sharing company Uber and Asia’s fourth biggest airline have announced a partnership to provide ‘a seamless, affordable and convenient door-to-door experience for travellers’.

    AirAsia and Uber said that this partnership extends beyond promo codes and discounted rides to joint marketing efforts and technological integration. The airline is one of a number of airlines to team up with the ride-sharing company, joining American Airlines and Jet Airways. In the case of American Airlines, this has involved messages sent from the carrier to customers’ phones reminding them to book an Uber as well as discounts.

    Like American Airlines, AirAsia will incorporate a “deeplink” feature that allows Uber riders to request or schedule rides when confirming, booking or checking in for flights.

    Commenting on the partnership, Brooks Entwistle, Uber Chief Business Officer, Asia Pacific said, “Uber is thrilled to partner with AirAsia to offer customers exactly what they’re asking for – a seamless, affordable, and convenient travel experience. By working together, we can provide a service that allows customers to request their Uber ride to the airport in step with their itinerary and have their Uber driver partner waiting for them when their flight lands. So, whether you’re trying to get home to see your family, or heading to an important business meeting; your travel experience should be seamless, from door-to-door!”

    Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “AirAsia is always looking to complement its award-winning inflight experience with services outside the plane that meet our exacting standards. We have found the right ride partner in Uber. Working with Uber allows our guests to plan their entire trip from the moment they step out of their home right until they arrive at their destination, providing amazing travel comfort and peace of mind.”

    The two companies will work together  in the 52 cities in 16 markets across Asia Pacific and the US, where AirAsia operates and the Uber app is available.

    Both asserted that they were the right partners for each other, as ‘leading brands in their respective categories’. AirAsia has been named Skytrax World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for nine years in a row from 2009 to 2017 and boasts an annual passenger traffic within Asia Pacific of 60 million while Uber is available in over 500 cities in more than 70 countries worldwide.