Page 37 - AAA MARCH-APRIL 2012 Online Magazine

AIRLINES

AIR ASEAN?

AirAsia has confirmed it wants to create an
ASEAN brand for its low-cost offerings over
coming years. An indicator – the Jakarta
operation’s naming as AirAsia Asean –
is a pointer to what the company calls
“our branding as a Truly ASEAN airline.”
Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia, says the
company wants to set up operations in every
ASEAN country, particularly upcoming – and
opening - Myanmar. Fernandes said AirAsia
already carries more passengers out of
Singapore than Jetstar or Tiger Airways,
and was looking for more capacity. In a
statement, AirAsia confirmed its policy was
to “to broaden and extend our outreach to
various groups in the region in regards to
EMIRATES 1000TH aviation policies within ASEAN.”

Emirates racked up another milestone last month with the unveiling of the 1,000th
Boeing 777, readied for delivery from Boeing’s factory at Seattle, U.S. With 102 777s KIWI X-fACTOR
on its fleet already, Emirates is the largest 777 operator. “Emirates is honoured to
be the recipient of Boeing’s 1000th 777, an aircraft (which) has been instrumental to New Zealand will no longer see the
our success in becoming a truly global airline,” said HH. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al- distinctive Air Asia X red and white planes
Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group. “Our order for an touching down at Christchurch, as the
additional 93 is further testament to our belief in the product and the role this aircraft airline faces up to surging oil prices
will play,” he added. and poor returns. Azran Osman-Rani,
AirAsia X’s CEO said in a statement
that jet fuel prices had risen more than
30% since Christchurch routes began
in April 2011. “The high cost of fuel has
compromised our ability to offer our
renowned low fares,” he added. Long
distance budget flights are proving hard
work, with AirAsia X also cutting flights
to London, Paris and Delhi. Despite this,
Air Asia X saw its highest ever full year
load factor of 80.1% (up 3.6%), achieved
despite natural disasters in Christchurch
and Japan. “With both load factor and
average fares growing positively, we
gRAPH fRoM AbACus growth over 2010,” said Osman-Rani.
were able to achieve a 45% (revenue)
He also indicated that: “our 2012 route
network strategy (is) to focus on building
a stronger presence in core markets.”
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