AirAsia Q3 load factor rises to 87%

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia Bhd’s operating statistics for the third quarter 2016 (Q3’16) saw the group post a load factor of 87% in Q3’16, up 6 percentage points (ppts) from the same period last year.
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, which has yet to begin operations).
Malaysia AirAsia (MAA) achieved a load factor of 89% in Q3’16, a record high and an increase of 7ppts year-on-year. Passenger numbers increased 5% year-on-year to 6.63 million while capacity was reduced by 3%.
MAA ended the quarter with a fleet of 77 aircraft including two newly delivered Airbus A320neo.
Thai AirAsia (TAA) posted a load factor of 84% in Q3’16, up 3ppts year-on-year. The number of passengers carried increased 21% year-on-year to 4.33 million, more than the 17% increase in capacity. During the quarter, TAA 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) achieved a record load factor of 90% in Q3’16 with a 15ppts increase year-on-year. 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.
Philippines AirAsia’s (PAA) load factor stood at 83% in Q3’16, a decrease of 1ppt year-on-year. The number of passengers carried was at 980,000, 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 a fleet of 15 aircraft.
AirAsia India (AAI) achieved a load factor of 88% in Q3’16, up 12ppts year-on-year. The number of passengers carried increased 42% year-on-year to 590,000. Three new routes were inaugurated during the quarter: Bengaluru-Guwahati; Bengaluru-Hyderabad and Hyderabad-Goa. Frequencies were added on the Bengaluru-Goa route. AAI had eight aircraft at the end of the quarter.