AirAsia X emerges as Australia’s fourth largest foreign airline, overtaking rival Malaysia Airlines

AirAsia X will become Australia's fourth largest foreign carrier by the end of 2013 as it allocates nearly all of its additional capacity for the remainder of the year to the Australian market. The expansion will see the medium/long-haul low-cost carrier increase its Australian operation from 35 weekly flights currently to 54 weekly frequencies in Dec-2013.

AirAsia X in the process will overtake rival Malaysia Airlines (MAS) as well as Thai Airways and Cathay Pacific in the Australia international seat capacity ranking. Only three foreign carriers - Emirates, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Air New Zealand (ANZ) - will offer more seats in Australia in Dec-2013.

The expansion is made possible by a new air services agreement between Malaysia and Australia which increased total capacity to Australia's four main cities by 40%. AirAsia X plans to continue to pursue expansion in Australia in 2014 and beyond, with more flights from Kuala Lumpur and new services from its planned second base at Bangkok.