AirAsia’s growth continues in 3Q2009: Pax up 19%
AirAsia's preliminary statistics for 3Q2009 revealed continued significant traffic growth, as Asia's largest LCC shrugs off challenging market conditions. AirAsia reported a 19% increase in passenger numbers in the seasonally weak 3Q009, to 3.6 million (the carrier's highest quarterly passenger level). It expanded capacity (ASKs) by 12.7%, the smallest quarterly capacity increase in at least seven quarters.
AirAsia preliminary traffic highlights for April-June-2009
|
3Q2009 |
Year-on-year change |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Passengers (mill) |
3.6 |
+19.0% |
|
Capacity (ASKs) (mill) |
5,449 |
+12.7% |
|
Traffic (RPKS) (mill) |
3,769 |
+9.9% |
|
Load factor (%) |
75.4% |
- |
AirAsia RPK growth and ASK growth: 1Q08 to 3Q09
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & AirAsia
Load factor remained unchanged at 75.4% in 3Q2009, as AirAsia lowered its fares to stimulate demand and capture market share. The LCC took delivery of one A320, for a total of 48 A320 aircraft at quarter end (the carrier's subsidiaries also received three A320s in the period). This resulted in an 18% increase in the number of sectors flow on a year-on-year basis.
AirAsia passenger numbers and passenger load factor: 1Q08 to 3Q09
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & AirAsia
AirAsia has continually asserted that while network carriers are struggling in the current economy conditions, AirAsia has experienced rising demand, and is adding more routes and increased frequencies, enabling the carrier to expand its market share, while simultaneously reporting higher profits.
The carrier is yet to report yield data for 3Q2009, but weaker yields does not necessarily mean lower profits. AirAsia's average yield contracted 12% in 2Q2009, due to a 19% reduction in average fares, but the LCC experienced a 101% increase in profit after tax to USD97.0 million.