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Gold Coast Airport: Airasia X Celebrates 10 Years In Australia

Direct News Source

26-Oct-2017 AirAsia X flight D7206 from Kuala Lumpur was greeted with a water cannon salute on arrival into Gold Coast Airport this morning, marking 10 years of the airline flying to Australia.

AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail was on the flight, a decade after the airline introduced the first low-cost long-haul service between Malaysia and Australia in 2007.

The airline has delivered more than 2.4 million seats between the two destinations in that time, as well as 400,000 seats between the Gold Coast and Auckland since commencing services in March 2016.

Gold Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills said AirAsia X became the airport's first long-haul international carrier to Asia when they commenced 10 years ago.

"That was a game changing moment for us and the start of a close relationship with AirAsia X over the next 10 years," Mr Mills said.

"It gave Gold Coasters an affordable and convenient travel option to Asia and just as importantly, put the growing Asian market in easy reach of us.

"The addition of Auckland services in 2016 bolstered Air Asia X's commitment to the Gold Coast and strengthened our low-cost connectivity to destinations across the Asia-Pacific."

AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail said, "We are excited to celebrate our 10th anniversary this year on the Gold Coast. AirAsia X has delivered a commendable performance over the past 10 years, especially between Australia and Asia, and we intend to continue for many more years to come.

"Our growth focus will be on tapping underserved markets and high traffic routes. Leveraging on the group advantage and dynamic pricing that we have as our core drivers in bringing the company forward, we promise to deliver not just low fares but better connectivity within our region and beyond for our guests to enjoy.

"A big thank you to all our guests, our industry partners such as Gold Coast Airport, Gold Coast Tourism, Tourism Events Queensland and my fellow Allstars for being part of these 10 exciting years."

Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter said the 10 years of AirAsia X on the Gold Coast had been game changing.

"Air connectivity remains the single most important factor in driving demand out of Asia, particularly from the connecting ports across their extensive network," he said.

"AirAsia X has provided a valuable gateway to the Gold Coast ferrying international passengers from Asia and New Zealand, both critical visitor source markets"With the support of aviation partners like AirAsia, we have been able to successfully grow the destination."

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Leanne Coddington said AirAsia X had been instrumental in bringing visitors from across Asia to Queensland for a decade.

"TEQ has worked closely with AirAsia X to open up new routes into Queensland and ensure ongoing marketing of Gold Coast destinations and our state in Malaysia and across Asia," she said.

"Our successful relationship has had positive impacts for the tourism industry in Queensland, especially through the use of the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund.

"I'm confident our relationship will continue to be just as successful into the future."

Gold Coast Airport is owned and operated by Queensland Airports Limited, a regional airport specialist which also operates Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports.