Airasia To Take Delivery Of 275 Airbus Aircraft Over 14 Years - LOMBOK LAUNCHED

[flee 5]

SEPANG, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- AirAsia Bhd will take delivery of 275 Airbus A320 aircraft over the next 14 years as part of its fleet expansion exercise, says chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

 

He said 200 aircraft would comprise the A320neo model while the A320 would account for the remaining 75 aircraft and they would complement AirAsia's existing fleet of 100 aircraft, which together would be worth US$25 billion.

 

"The 200 A320neo has a market price of up to US$18 billion while the 175 A320 will have a market price of US$7 billion," Fernandes told reporters after taking delivery of AirAsia's 100th Airbus A320 aircraft at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal here Thursday.

 

The latest delivery will make the budget carrier the largest Airbus A320 aircraft operator in Southeast Asia.

 

AirAsia currently has 58 Airbus A320 based in Malaysia, 22 aircraft based in Thailand, 18 aircraft based in Indonesia and two aircraft based in the Philippines.

 

Fernandes said with the increase in the number of aircraft, AirAsia and AirAsia X would increase their flight frequencies to key destinations and introduce new routes.

 

"We will fly to Lombok, Indonesia, and focus on adding new routes in China. We have so far identified three destinations, namely Xiamen and two other routes.

 

"It is also my aspiration to fly AirAsia to Sao Paulo, Brazil. I have received numerous requests to fly there from Brazilians but I guess we would have to wait as it will take some time (to materialise).

 

"AirAsia X will have to wait for the right time and for the right type of aircraft. That's the main reason why we have suspended our routes to London and Paris," he said.

 

On passenger traffic, Fernandes said he was cautiously positive of AirAsia moving forward, hoping that the budget airline would continue to register growth in numbers in tandem with many other budget airline operators worldwide.

 

"It's very difficult to say. First quarter has been always a slow quarter for us. But I am positive," he said.

 

In 2011, 29.860 million passengers travelled by AirAsia, up from 25.681 million passengers recorded by the airline, in 2010.

 

Capacity jumped 13.5 per cent to 37.506 million and load factor increased two per cent to 80 per cent.

[BC Tam 2]

"The 200 A320neo has a market price of up to US$18 billion while the 175 A320 will have a market price of US$7 billion

Wow, that is a very substantial quantum leap in unit price between the two variants

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

"We will fly to Lombok, Indonesia, and focus on adding new routes in China. We have so far identified three destinations, namely Xiamen and two other routes.

 

"It is also my aspiration to fly AirAsia to Sao Paulo, Brazil. I have received numerous requests to fly there from Brazilians but I guess we would have to wait as it will take some time (to materialise).

 

The Lombok bit has been confirmed. Latest from my spy at the AK Gossip Division:

 

Just got an sms, lombok flight booking open 16 aug, booking date: 16-26aug12, departure date: 12oct12-22may13. From Rm88 and above all in booking online. Somehow memo hasn't come out yet.

 

From: raa_corpculture

Sent: Wednesday, 15 August, 2012 11:35 AM

To: AA_ALL

Subject: AirAsia Launches Direct Flights To Lombok!

 

 

AirAsia Launches Direct Flights To Lombok!

Kuala Lumpur - Lombok flights now available 3 times weekly

 

SEPANG, 15 August 2012 – AirAsia, the world’s best low cost airline for four consecutive years (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) is adding even more connectivity with its 15^th Indonesian destination from Kuala Lumpur by launching direct flights to Lombok today, which are available 3x weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

In conjunction with the launch of this new and exciting Indonesian connectivity, AirAsia is offering special promotional fare to all travellers with special promotional all-in-fares from as low as RM88 one way from Kuala Lumpur – Lombok.

Booking period for this exclusive promo is from 16 – 26 August 2012 , for the travel period from 12 Oct 2012 – 22 May 2013. Log on to www.airasia.com to find out more on this and other available promotions.

AirAsia Berhad Commercial Director, Jasmine Lee said, “ Lombok is a hidden gem. Blessed with a plethora of spectacular scenery, Lombok satisfies diverse holiday preferences. Outdoor lovers may embark on adventurous trips to explore the mighty Mt. Rinjani or Tropical Forest & Animal Reserve. Honeymooners will definitely find the untouched sandy beaches at Senggigi and the surrounding Gili Island as romantic retreats. For those who seek escapism, Lombok is a perfect spot for snorkeling and diving, with a dreamlike and picture perfect underwater world. Make this dream getaway a reality by taking advantage of our unbelievable low fares. Lombok is a must for those looking for adventure, serenity or a romantic getaway.”

To make holidays more interesting and memorable guests may log on to www.airasiago.com for fantastic deals.AirAsiaGo will also be offering hotel packages from as low as RM299 for a 3D/2N stay with return flights and all taxes included to Lombok and airport transfer from RM63. Guests are able to book these great package deals from 16 – 26 August 2012, and travel from 12 October 2012 – 22 May 2013. AirAsiaGo, in a partnership with Expedia, has over 100,000 hotel partners worldwide, and provides guests with a wide variety of options for tours and activities as well.

Sign up for BIG, AirAsia’s global loyalty program. BIG enables guests to collect BIG Points not just from AirAsia, but also various merchant partners worldwide and the points are redeemable as free flights on AirAsia. To find out more about BIG and how to sign up, please visit www.airasia.com

Stay updated with AirAsia’s latest promotions, activities and contests via social media by following the airline on Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia) and Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia).

*All-in-fares includes airport tax & fuel surcharge, and for one way travel only. Other optional charges / fees not included.

Flight Frequencies: Kuala Lumpur -Lombok

Effective 12 OCT 2012

 

Sector

Flight

Depart

Arrive

Frequency

Kuala Lumpur – Lombok

AK 1408

0835

1145

3,5,7

Lombok – Kuala Lumpur

AK 1409

1215

1525

3,5,7

3-Wednesday, 5-Friday, 7-Sunday

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

Another new service announced. Extra capacity to be precised. Thanks to the spy at the AK Gossip Division:

 

 

AirAsia now flies 2x daily from Kuala Lumpur to Yangon

 

SEPANG, 16 AUGUST 2012 – It’s time to discover Myanmar as AirAsia has increased its flight frequencies to Yangon. The world’s best low cost carrier now flies twice daily to the former capital city beginning 8 October 2012. AirAsia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur – Yangon once daily, and will have 2x daily flights when the additional frequency takes effect, making the total flights 28x weekly between both destinations.

 

The new frequency now has flight AK 0858 which departs Kuala Lumpur at 6.55am and arrives in Yangon at 8.00am. In conjunction with this great news, AirAsia is offering a special promotion only for the above mentioned fight with all-in-fares from as low as RM119* one way from Kuala Lumpur – Yangon, the main gate way to Myanmar. Guests are able to book this special fare from now until 26 August 2012 for the travel period from 8 October 2012 to 22 May 2013. This promotion is available exclusively at www.airasia.com.

Yangon was the capital of Myanmar until March 2006 and is the biggest city in the country. While the new capital is now Naypydaw, Yangon still serves as the main business hub and principle seaport for Myanmar.

Be ‘seduced’ by Yangon’s blend of Eastern mystic and colonial charm where visitors can walk down the streets to discover a city that is steeped in tradition and culture that remains fairly untouched by the western world for the last 50 years. While the city hosts a numerous Buddhist pagodas such as Sule Pagoda at the heart of Yangon, it also has the largest number of British colonial buildings in South East Asia.

The vibrant colours of the city are also a visual experience that is hard to miss. More than often, visitors will encounter Buddhist monks clad in their burgundy robes or greeted with ‘red smiles’ from the many betel nut chewers. Visitors will also witness men going about their daily routines in their longyi, a sarong like garment that is worn all around the country and see women spotting thanaka on their faces; a natural sun block and moisturiser made of a special grounded tree bark.

One of the popular places of interest in Yangon and regarded as the most important religious site in Myanmar is the Shwedagon Pagoda situated at the holy Singuttra Hill. The golden pagoda is revered as the most sacred pagoda as it enshrines relics from four past Buddhas, including Gautama Buddha’s hair. Believed to be over 2,500 years old, the tip of the pagoda boasts a 76-carat diamond and below it features over, 8,000 diamonds and rubies.

Another point to note about Yangon is the lush greenery. In fact, it is also known as the ‘garden city of the east’. The tree lined streets provides a cooling atmosphere while the various number of gardens and lakes provides a vast choice of recreational areas for both locals and visitors. One such example is the Kandawgyi Lake which lies just southeast of the Shwedagon Pagoda. To add to the beauty of the lake is the Kandawgyi Nature Park which surrounds the 150-acre lake.

Shoppers and bargain hunters will be in heaven with the choices that Yangon has to offer particularly at the Bogyoke Aung San Market. Also known as Scott Market, it has about 2,000 shops where shoppers can find a plethora of local handicrafts, lacquer-ware, souvenirs and paintings. Myanmar is well known for its gems, so jewellery lovers can look forward to getting their hands on precious stones such as rubies and sapphires.

Apart from that, textiles are also abundant in Yangon and it is easy to find tailoring services which offers to make dresses and suits for just a few hours.

To find out more about AirAsia, follow them on Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/AirAsia) for updates, promotions and latest activities with the world’s best low cost airline.

*All fares quoted are all-in fares, inclusive of airport tax and fuel surcharge. For one way only.

 

***END***

 

Route Flight Departure Arrival Frequency

KUL – RGN* AK 0858 0655 0800 Daily

RGN – KUL* AK 0859 0830 1250 Daily

KUL – RGN AK 0850 1710 1820 Daily

RGN – KUL AK 0851 1850 2305 Daily

*New frequency