AirAsia Group Berhad is pleased to announce the operating statistics for the 2nd Quarter of the Financial Year 2019 (“2Q2019”).
AirAsia Group Berhad Consolidated AOCs* recorded impressive capacity growth in 2Q2019, up 19% compared with the same period last year. Passengers carried for the quarter was recorded at 12.8million, an 18% growth year-on-year (“YoY”), resulting in a load factor of 85%. Available Seat Kilometres (“ASK”) grew 17% YoY, as the group continued to expand its network through the strategic addition of new routes and increased frequencies to domestic and international destinations.
AirAsia Malaysia capacity grew 13% YoY, resulting in 11% more or 8.8million passengers carried in the quarter. The growth rate exceeded that of the industry average as AirAsia Malaysia continued to increase its market dominance, while load factor remained strong at 84%.
AirAsia Indonesia added 56% more capacity in 2Q2019, following the transfer of eight aircraft in 4Q2018. AirAsia Indonesia similarly recorded a substantial increase of 58% in passengers carried compared with the same period last year. Despite the increased capacity, strong demand from seasonality of Lebaran and school holidays has positively contributed to a load factor of 82%, up 1 percentage point ("ppt") YoY.
AirAsia Philippines added an additional 18% capacity in 2Q2019 on increased frequencies of domestic routes. Despite the aggressive capacity addition, the load factor surged to 91%, or 4 percentage points higher than the previous year. AirAsia Philippines recorded a solid 22% increase in passengers carried YoY.
AirAsia Thailand reported capacity growth of 8% which was backed by a 5% growth in passengers carried YoY. ASK grew 12% on capacity for routes to China, Indochina and India. Load factor was recorded at 83%, which was slightly lower due to the off-peak tourism season, a stronger Baht and weaker-than-expected tourist arrivals, especially from China. Nonetheless, Thai AirAsia continued to exceed visitor growth expectations and gained market share in the quarter reported.
AirAsia India further expanded its capacity by 21% YoY, which was in line with the company’s strategy to grow its domestic market share. Total passengers carried surpassed the additional capacity growth to 25%, recording a strong load factor of 90% in the quarter reported. AirAsia India took delivery of its 21st aircraft during the quarter while approvals to commence international flights into the group’s destinations are pending.
AirAsia Japan recorded strong operational improvements compared to the same quarter in 2018. Passengers carried grew 79% while capacity expanded 81% YoY. Load factor held steady at 78%.