Bangkok--11 Sep--AirAsia First meeting outside Malaysia shows Australia’s importance Gold Coast, Australia, September 10, 2008 — AirAsia X’s decision to hold its first offsite board meeting at the Gold Coast is a testimony of the company’s commitment to the Australian market, says AirAsia X Chief Executive Officer Azran Osman-Rani. Azran said AirAsia X, an affiliate of AirAsia, has received an excellent response to its services on the Gold Coast since the airline was launched in November 2007. He said AirAsia X was running at more than 80 per cent load factor on its Gold Coast — Kuala Lumpur route and that forward bookings continued to be exceptionally strong. “Our services have been received enthusiastically by the Gold Coast and travellers from around Australia who use Gold Coast Airport as a launching pad to Asia and as such, it is only fitting we hold our meeting here,” Azran said. This is the first time an AirAsia X board meeting has been held outside of Malaysia. A contingent of AirAsia X leaders arrived on the Gold Coast today to attend the company’s first board meeting held at the Gold Coast Airport. Azran was joined on the Gold Coast by AirAsia X’s board of directors. “The Gold Coast Airport, the local tourism industry and the travelling public have been very supportive of AirAsia X and we would like to acknowledge this by bringing our board and staff here to not only hold a board meeting but to conduct other business while we are here. Our visit will also help to strengthen ties between all industry stakeholders. Azran said the response to AirAsia X services on the Gold Coast since the airline was launched in November 2007 had been excellent. He said AirAsia X was running at more than 80 per cent load factor on its Gold Coast — Kuala Lumpur route and that forward bookings continued to be exceptionally strong. “Our services have been received enthusiastically by the Gold Coast and travellers from around Australia who use Gold Coast Airport as a launching pad to Asia. As such, it is only fitting we hold our meeting here,” Azran said. “The Gold Coast Airport, the local tourism industry and the travelling public have been very supportive of AirAsia X and we would like to acknowledge this by bringing our board and staff here to not only hold a board meeting but to conduct other business while we are here. Our visit will also help to strengthen ties between all industry stakeholders.” As part of its commitment to the Gold Coast Azran said AirAsia X would be increasing its capacity to daily flights during the mid-December to mid-January peak season. The carrier also will permanently expand its seat capacity by a further 20 per cent when it takes delivery of its new Airbus A330-300. AirAsia, last weekend (September 5-7) also collaborated with Tourism Queensland and Gold Coast Tourism in order to extensively promote the Gold Coast at Malaysia’s largest travel fair, MATTA 2008. “We are thrilled with the progress of AirAsia X here in Australia,” Azran said. “We announced our 100,000th passenger onboard in March this year and since then the airline has experienced a surge in bookings, taking the number of people travelling with us to more than 200,000, which is a major accomplishment. “The Gold Coast was AirAsia X’s first Australia destination and we’re hoping the success will be replicated at our two new locations in Perth and Melbourne.” AirAsia X will operate a new direct service from Perth to Kuala Lumpur as of November 3 this year and from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur from November 12. AirAsia X also operates five weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur to Hangzhou (Shanghai), which commenced in February 2008. AirAsia X, the pioneer of low-cost, long-haul travel, plans to announce further new and exciting destinations in the near future. Azran said not only had AirAsia X’s amazingly low travel deals been a hit with travellers but so too had the carrier’s introduction of new technology involving PayPal, mobile phone bookings and on-line bookings for in-flight services. AirAsia X is 48 per cent controlled by Aero Ventures, which is a company owned by AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes and his associates. The Virgin Group owns a 16 per cent share of the airline alongside Japanese leasing firm Orix Corporation and Bahrain-based Manara Consortium, which have each bought a 10 percent stake in AirAsia X. Parent company AirAsia also has a 16 per cent stake in the company. The airline operates four flights from Kuala Lumpur to the Gold Coast with one flight per day on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Flights from the Gold Coast to Kuala Lumpur leave the Gold Coast Airport once daily Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Further Information and media enquiries: Darren Wright AirAsia X General Manager Australia (m) 0412 175 787 Desi Bandal Communications Thai AirAsia Co., Ltd. OSC Building, 99 Moo 5 Kingkaew Road, Rachatawa Bangplee, Samutprakarn 10540 My Mobile: (66) 8 5048 4699 My Line: (662) 315 9811 My Office:(662) 315 9800 My Fax: (662) 315 9804