Bangkok--13 May--AirAsia
AAV Announces Q1/2015 Performance, Indicates Active GrowthTotal Revenue at Baht 7,734 Million, Net Profit (Parent Company) at Baht 506 MillionCarried 3.7 Million Passengers with Average Load Factor of 83 PercentAffirms Continuation of Business Plan and Confidence in Achieving Targets
Thai AirAsia continued its growth in the 1st Quarter of 2015, achieving high revenue of Baht 7,734 Million with Net Profit at Baht 923 Million. The airline carried approximately 3.7 million passengers, up 19 percent year-on-year, and a Load Factor of 83 percent, up 3 percentage points from the same period last year. All figures are satisfactory and signal Thailand’s tourism economy both domestic and international are returning to activity.
Mr. Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Asia Aviation Plc (AAV) (Major shareholder of Thai AirAsia), pointed out that in Q1/2015 Thai AirAsia added 2 Airbus A320 aircraft to its fleet, bringing the total to 42 by the quarter’s end. The airline also added 3 new domestic routes; Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Nan, Loei and Roi Et, each flying 2 times daily. Flight frequencies were also increased on popular routes Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Phnom Penh (flying 2 times daily), Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Nakhon Phanom (flying 2 times daily) and Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Phuket (flying 13 times daily).
In Q1/2015, Thai AirAsia increased its seat capacity by 15 percent as its passenger numbers grew by 19 percent to 3.7 million people. The airline’s Load Factor rose to 83 percent, up 3 percentage points from the same period last year. Both figures are considered especially satisfying.
“Our performance in Q1/2015 serves as an affirmation that the overall growth of Thailand’s tourism sector as well AAV have come back on course after being heavily impacted by the political situation of 2014. Nonetheless, we will continue to work diligently, effectively manage our capital and seek out new business opportunities to achieve strong performance returns in the remaining quarters of this year” Mr. Tassapon stated.
Mr. Tassapon also sought to bolster confidence regarding the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recently discovering a Significant Safety Concern (SSC) during an audit of the Department of Civil Aviation, Thailand. He assured that both AAV and Thai AirAsia have yet to be significantly affected by the situation and have been able to adhere to their business plans as well as that their targets for 2015 will be reached. Thai AirAsia has set its sights on carrying a total 14.5 million passengers this year, up from 12.2 million in 2014, and to acquire 3 new aircraft between the 2nd and 4th quarters to end 2015 with a fleet of 45 airplanes.