AirAsia X To Increase Operational Capacity By Up To 15 Pct This Year

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) -- Long-haul low-cost airline, AirAsia X (AAX), aims to increase operational capacity by 10 per cent to 15 per cent this year, driven by increased flight frequency to Australia and introduction of new destinations. Chief Executive Officer Benyamin Ismail said three new destinations would be introduced this year in addition to the newly launched Auckland destination. "Two of the new destinations will be in China," he told reporters after the launch of "Niseko Super Summer Saver" travel package here, Wednesday. He, however, did not disclose the other new destination. Benyamin said the airline was also targeting to return to the black this year following profitable financial results beginning from the fourth quarter of last year. "The yields are up. I'm quite happy we're doing quite okay. (In the) fourth quarter, we've returned to the black and on the yearly basis I hope so. We just need to keep it consistent," he said. He said AAX's load factor averaged at 83 per cent and the airline had targeted to maintain this following the delivery of two new aircraft in May and June. On Hawaii destination, he said the airline was still working on the approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration. "We're pushing for it...but if Hawaii comes, it is only going to be towards year-end for winter," he said. On the Department of Civil Aviation's (DCA) charges hike, he said the increase in fees had minimal impact on AAX. "The DCA charges came in with revised charges and the impact is very minimal. Basically, you just have to find other non-aeronautical avenues to make up for that impact," he added. Meanwhile, on the Niseko Super Summer Saver, he said the all-inclusive travel package would provide the opportunity for more Malaysians to have vacations in Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan at affordable prices. AAX Chairman Rafidah Aziz said the introduction of the travel package was in conjunction with the increase in flight frequency to five times weekly from Kuala Lumpur to Sapporo, Hokkaido beginning this Friday. She said AAX also hoped to increase its flight frequency from Kuala Lumpur to Sapporo to daily flights by December. In partnership with boutique travellers lodge, My Ecolodge, the travel package is a special group tour package for a minimum of 10 guests per group with price ranging between US$1,006 (RM3,900) and US$1,238 (RM4,800) per person inclusive of return flights (Kuala Lumpur-Sapporo) for four or five nights stay. My Ecolodge is managed by Fairlane Hospitality, a hospitality arm of the Low Yat Group. -- BERNAMA