AirAsia, the low-cost airline based in Kuala Lumpur, plans to expand its routes to India, particularly to destinations where there are no direct flights. The destinations the airline has its sights on include Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mumbai.
Since the launch of the Kochi-Kuala Lumpur route recently, the airline recorded a strong pick-up with over 82 per cent load factor and sold approximately 35,000 seats for the route. Besides Kochi, the airline also operates flights to Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram.
Ms. Kathleen Tan, regional head of commercial said, “AirAsia is very committed to expand this market (India) and provide an excellent opportunity to travellers from India to enjoy our revolutionary low fares at 5-star service.” She also stated that the airline was using a new modern fleet of comfortable and spacious Airbus A320 aircraft for all flights to India.
A relatively new breed of the world’s first long-haul carrier, which has gone global, Air Asia has already received accolades as the World’s Best Low-Cost Carrier and Airline of the Year for 2009.
Thanks to its undying commitment and innovative improvements, the airline’s brand new aircrafts have proved to be a wonderful experience with spacious cabins, reclining seats and extra overhead baggage space. The airline operates on the Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft.
Air Asia now has positioned itself as the regional airline with the most extensive network with 130 routes covering 70 major countries. Within a span of just seven years of its existence, the airline has carried over 82 million passengers and increased its fleet from just two aircraft to 85. It is also an ASEAN Member airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand and servicing a network covering all ASEAN Nations, China, India and Bangladesh. Air Asia has a quick turnaround of 25 minutes, which is the fastest in the region, resulting in high aircraft utilization, lower costs and greater airline and staff productivity.
The airline has been ranked Top 5 among the most recognised and admired one in the industry in the Asia Pacific. The airline also has been awarded CAPA Airline of the Year Award for 2009.
It is the passion, commitment and fevour of Mr. Tony Fernandes, Group CEO, AirAsia, Malaysia, who bought a struggling airline company and together with his partners, made AirAsia the brand that it is today. One also cannot overlook the name of Ms. Kathleen Tan, Regional Head of Commercial, Air Asia when talking about the recent success of Air Asia’s operations. She joined the airline in August 2004 as Senior Vice President for Greater China and is responsible for the airline’s most aggressive network and hub planning strategy, has helped establish a strong foothold in ASEAN, Australia and China, and develop strong branding over the last four years to make the airline a global player and to increase the group’s network in new markets.