AirAsia Q3 load factor rises to 87%

In a statement yesterday, the low-cost carrier said the total number of passengers carried increased 11% year-on-year to 14.23 million, well ahead of the 2% increase in seat capacity.

“At the end of the quarter under review, the group’s total fleet size stood at 171 aircraft (173 including two aircraft delivered to AirAsia Japan but yet to commence operations).”

AirAsia said its Malaysian operations achieved a load factor of 89% in the third quarter of 2016, which was a record high and a 7% percentage points increase year-on-year.

“Passenger numbers increased 5% year-on-year to 6.63 million while capacity was reduced by 3%. AirAsia Malaysia ended the quarter with a fleet size of 77 aircraft including two newly delivered Airbus A320neo.”

Thai AirAsia (TAA) meanwhile posted a load factor of 84% during the third quarter of 2016, up three percentage points year-on-year, said AirAsia.

“The number of passengers carried increased 21% year-on-year to 4.33 million, more than the 17% increase in capacity.

“During the quarter, Thai AirAsia started operating the Hat Yai – Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok – Vientiane routes and increased frequencies on the Bangkok – Udon Thani route. TAA ended the quarter with a fleet size of 49 aircraft.

Indonesia AirAsia (IAA) meanwhile achieved a record load factor of 90% in the third quarter of this year with a 15 percentage points increase year-on-year, the group said.

“Passenger numbers were 2% higher year-on-year at 1.71 million while capacity was reduced by 14%. At the end of the quarter under review the fleet size stood at 22 aircraft, including eight aircraft operated by Indonesia AirAsia X.”

The low-cost carrier added that Philippines AirAsia’s (PAA) load factor stood at 83% during the third quarter of 2016, a year-on-year decrease of one percentage point.

“The number of passengers carried was at 0.98 million, up 8% year-on-year. Capacity increased by 9% year-on-year as frequencies were added on the Manila – Kalibo (Boracay) and Manila – Puerto Princessa routes. PAA ended the quarter with 15 aircraft.”

AirAsia India (AAI), the group said, achieved a load factor of 88% in the third quarter of this year - up 12 percentage points from the third quarter of 2015.

“The number of passengers carried increased 42% year-on-year to 0.59 million, more than the 23% increase in capacity. Three new routes were inaugurated during the quarter: Bengaluru – Guwahati; Bengaluru – Hyderabad and Hyderabad – Goa.

“Frequencies were added on the Bengaluru – Goa route. AAI’s fleet consisted of eight aircraft at the end of the quarter.”