Thai AirAsia X sets revenue goal of Bt13 bn for 2018

The airline is targeting 2.2 million passengers served and a load-factor average of 86 per cent. It plans to receive four new Airbus A330s to reinforce its position as the leader for flights to North Asia, Japan and South Korea, said chief executive officer Nadda Buranasiri.
Revenue this year is forecast at Bt9 billion, following Bt7.9 billion and Bt5.4 billion in 2016 and 2015, respectively. 
Thai AirAsia X estimates that it will end 2017 having served 1.6 million passengers, after serving 1.4 million last year and 940,000 in 2015.
Its load-factor average for the year is estimated at 89 per cent, compared with 85 per cent last year and 77 per cent in 2015.
Nadda views 2018 as a year of growth for the Thai aviation industry, as the country has had its red-flag status over safety concerns removed this year.
He pointed out that many airlines had made plans to add routes in accordance with passenger demand, and that Thai AirAsia X would use its high flight frequencies and expertise in the Japanese and South Korean markets to fuel its growth. 
The airline will also be adding the northern Japanese city of Sapporo to its list of destinations early next year, among other major developments.
The company on Tuesday also unveiled its “3-2-2-1 Morning, Afternoon, Evening and Night” strategy, which brings the number of flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang International Airport) to Seoul to three per day; to Tokyo to two flights per day; to Osaka to two flights per day; plus a daily flight to Shanghai – allowing passengers all-day options to fly.
The CEO said the 3-2-2-1 strategy, being unveiled with a new online campaign, had been created to reassert the airline’s leadership in providing low-fare flights to South Korea, Japan and China, and covered the morning, afternoon, evening and night periods of each day so as to accommodate every lifestyle. 
A new online commercial has been aired since Monday, in which it also releases a sneak peek at the end, hinting at a highly demanded new route set to be unveiled early next year.
“While Thai AirAsia X did not introduce any new destinations in 2017, it consistently increased frequency on its popular routes. The airline estimates it will have served 1.6 million passengers by this year’s end and have maintained a load-factor average of 89 per cent,” he added.