Bangkok--5 Feb--Thai AirAsia
In just 6 short years, Thai AirAsia is very proud to have successfully carried over 19 million guests to various destinations across the Asean region and beyond. The keys to success are irresistible low fares, friendly service and constant innovations. The airline is looking forward to launch exciting promotional campaigns and to enhance its services by taking delivery of a brand new fleet of Airbus A320s by September 2010.
Thai AirAsia Chief Executive Officer, Tassapon Bijleveld said “Today is a very significant day for us as it is our 6th birthday. As a young airline, we are proud to have achieved what other airlines are struggling to accomplish -- unparalled service quality, number of routes, flight frequencies and more. Like an energetic young child, we possess the utmost passion and energy to move forward rapidly and aggressively.
“In the past six years, we had proven that we are always dedicated and passionate in developing our services and initiating creative campaigns. This passion and enthusiasm helps us to keep growing strongly and remain as the preferred carrier of our guests. The tremendous support from our guests is the main reason for us to be where we are today and that gives us the motivation to keep on striving to make the AirAsia flying experience a comfortable enjoyable and memorable one.”
“Amidst a slowdown in travel demand triggered by global economic meltdown, Thai AirAsia sets to expand its operations in year 2010. We project an average load factor of 85% for all routes in 2010. Moreover, we are introducing new routes in India, while maintaining existing frequencies and routes in year 2009”, Tassapon said.
Another exciting development of 2010 is that the arrival of a brand new fleet of Airbus A320s which will be replacing Thai AirAsia’s six current Boeing 737. The completion of the aircraft deliveries by September will place the airline as the largest and youngest airline fleet operator in Asia as a group (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia). The need for a fuel efficient and reliable aircraft is a direct response to the robust growth and exciting developments. With additional aircrafts, Thai AirAsia will raise its capacity by about 25%. The carrier targets to carry 5.8 million passengers in 2010, up from 5.2 million recorded in 2009.
Moreover, this year we will continue to reinforce our brand position to be a truly ASEAN carrier with an extensive network of over 130 routes covering 70 destinations. AirAsia connects all the capital cities of ASEAN as well as providing flights to towns hosting the region’s major heritage sites, beaches, and other interesting spots.
About AirAsia and AirAsia X
AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network with 130 routes covering more than 70 destinations. Within a period of 7 years of operation, AirAsia has carried over 82 million passengers and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to 85. The airline today is proud to be a truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, servicing a network stretching across all Asean countries, China, India and Bangladesh. This is further complemented by AirAsia X, its low cost long-haul affiliate carrier that currently flies to destinations in China, Australia the UK and the Middle East. AirAsia is the only regional carrier with the largest destination network and highest flight frequencies. AirAsia has been awarded the 2009 World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax and Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) Airline of the Year Award for 2009.
For any further information, please contact:
Thai AirAsia Communications Team
[email protected]