Saving Airasia Group and Airasia X: Covid-19 Recovery Thread

[Chris Tan 0]

22 hours ago, Craig said:

D7 received permission to operate 4x weekly KUL-IST flights to begin in November. Let's see. TK's 3 additional weekly flights seem to be doing really well too. Can't imagine the sudden surge in EU-MY travel.

Good to know. I was starting to think nobody was flying to/from Europe because their airports are chaotic and our country is in shambles!

[JuliusWong 0]

AirAsia Group Fleet Movement September 20, 2022

1. A320-216   MSN 7030          HS-BBU     Thai AirAsia     ferried 13sep22 DMK-CGK after storage     ex F-WWDC
2. A330-343   MSN 720          HS-XTG     Thai AirAsia X     ferried 18sep22 DMK-CRK after storage     ex B-6120
3. A330-343   MSN 1423         VP-CSU     AerCap     ferried 19sep22 FNI-NAP     ex 9M-XXJ (https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10518366)
4. A330-343   MSN 1670          2-MXBA     BOC Aviation     ferried 19sep22 CRK-KUL     ex 9M-XBA (https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10710506)

Source: https://www.skyliner-aviation.de/regdb.main?LC=nav4&page=2

Edited September 20, 2022 by JuliusWong

[JuliusWong 0]

On 9/20/2022 at 2:15 PM, JuliusWong said:

AirAsia Group Fleet Movement September 20, 2022

1. A320-216   MSN 7030          HS-BBU     Thai AirAsia     ferried 13sep22 DMK-CGK after storage     ex F-WWDC
2. A330-343   MSN 720          HS-XTG     Thai AirAsia X     ferried 18sep22 DMK-CRK after storage     ex B-6120
3. A330-343   MSN 1423         VP-CSU     AerCap     ferried 19sep22 FNI-NAP     ex 9M-XXJ (https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10518366)
4. A330-343   MSN 1670          2-MXBA     BOC Aviation     ferried 19sep22 CRK-KUL     ex 9M-XBA (https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10710506)

Source: https://www.skyliner-aviation.de/regdb.main?LC=nav4&page=2

A320-216   MSN 7057          HS-BBV     Thai AirAsia     ferried 20sep22 DMK-CGK after storage     ex F-WWBT

Source: https://www.skyliner-aviation.de/regdb.main?LC=nav4&page=2

[JuliusWong 0]

AirAsia Group Fleet Movement October 11, 2022

Airbus A320-216    MSN 3489          RP-C8947     Philippines AirAsia     delivery 09oct22 SZB-MNL after transfer     ex HS-ABE
Airbus A320-216    MSN 3505          RP-C8945     Philippines AirAsia     air-test at SZB 09oct22 after transfer     ex HS-ABF

Source: https://www.skyliner-aviation.de/regdb.main?LC=nav4&page=1

Also 9M-AHL now carries new Capital A's new livery.  https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10226132406030117&set=gm.5895320260481220&idorvanity=304485472898088

[JuliusWong 0]

On group consolidation, back in August 2022, Tata Group seeks to buyout Capital A's remaining 16.33% stake in AirAsia India, and merge it into Air India Express. The merged fleet will consist of both A320 and B737.

Full service: Air India and Vistara

Low cost service: Air India Express

https://www.indiatimes.com/worth/news/tata-group-likely-to-write-off-rs-2600-crore-loss-of-airasia-india-577995.html

[JuliusWong 0]

AirAsia Group Fleet Movement October 14, 2022

Airbus A320-216   MSN 6676          HS-BBR     Thai AirAsia     ferried 13oct22 DMK-CGK after storage     ex F-WWBN

Source: https://www.skyliner-aviation.de/regdb.main?LC=nav4&page=1

[JuliusWong 0]

AirAsia Group Fleet Movement October 21, 2022

Airbus A320-216    MSN 4333          HS-ABO     Thai AirAsia     ferried 20oct22 DMK-CGK after storage     ex F-WWIM

https://www.skyliner-aviation.de/regdb.main?LC=nav4&page=1

[BC Tam 2]

Looks like AK reinstating

BKI-TPE from Dec 2022

BKI-HKG from Jan 2023

😀

[BC Tam 2]

Tony Fernandes resigns as group CEO of AirAsia X

https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2022/10/31/tony-fernandes-resigns-as-group-ceo-of-airasia-x

??? 🤔

Edited October 31, 2022 by BC Tam

[JuliusWong 0]

Seems like AirAsia X is adding two ex-Philippines Airlines A330-343E to their fleet. Both nine years old airframes.

1. MSN 1467 previously RP-C8784 https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/airbus-a330-300-2-rpca-fly-leasing/rzqlx9
2. MSN 1475 previously RP-C8785 https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/airbus-a330-300-2-mahy-fly-leasing/r1mly6

Photo Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=429640535843421&set=a.120922053381939

[JuliusWong 0]

AirAsia X bullish on Australian, New Zealand markets, to add flight frequencies

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/node/642216?

MELBOURNE (Nov 2): AirAsia Aviation Group's medium-haul affiliate airline AirAsia X Bhd (AAX) plans to increase frequencies to both Australia and New Zealand to seven flights per week by the first quarter of next year, reflecting its bullish outlook on its operations there.

AAX chief executive officer Benyamin Ismail said the carrier currently operates three direct flights weekly from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Auckland.

“The key thing for us right now is to bring back [AAX’s fleet size] to 24 aircraft (the pre-pandemic level). We’re sourcing. Hopefully, we will get that completed in the next few months, and then we can get ready for [new] deliveries to come through,” he said.

 

Wonder who will lease A330s to them, given their previous ugly court battle with various lessors, also highly doubt AirAsia X will take up the conversion charges. AirAsia X now has 12 A330-343 with two more (ex-PR) due for delivery and Thai AirAsia X has six A330-343 with two A330-900neos.

[JuliusWong 0]

On 10/11/2022 at 10:48 AM, JuliusWong said:

On group consolidation, back in August 2022, Tata Group seeks to buyout Capital A's remaining 16.33% stake in AirAsia India, and merge it into Air India Express. The merged fleet will consist of both A320 and B737.

Full service: Air India and Vistara

Low cost service: Air India Express

https://www.indiatimes.com/worth/news/tata-group-likely-to-write-off-rs-2600-crore-loss-of-airasia-india-577995.html

Update on November 4, 2022:

Capital A sells remaining 16.33% stake in AirAsia India to Tata affiliate for RM89m

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/capital-sells-remaining-1633-stake-airasia-india-tata-affiliate-rm89m

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 2): AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd (AAAGL) (formerly known as AirAsia Investment Ltd, or AAIL), the holding company of Capital A Bhd, announced it has sold all its remaining shares in AirAsia (India) Private Ltd (AAI) to Air India Ltd, an affiliate of Tata Sons Pte Ltd (TSL), the holding company of the Tata Group.

In a bourse filing, Capital A said the remaining shares represented 16.33% in AAI. AAAGL is expected to receive a gross proceeds of  INR 1.56 billion (RM89.25 million) from the stakes sale.

“There will be no gain or loss on the disposal as Capital A has marked the remaining 16.33% in AAI to its fair value,” it noted.

AAI was launched in 2014 as a 49:51 joint venture company between AAAGL and Tata Group. In Dec 2020,  AAAGL sold 32.67% in AAI to Tata Group for US$37.66 million, which saw Tata Group raise its stake AAI  to 83.67%.  

“Post the closing of this transaction, AAAGL will not hold any equity interest in AAI and the brand license and technical services agreement between AirAsia Bhd and AAI will be terminated after 12 months from the date of termination of the shareholders agreement between the parties or at an earlier date as may be intimated by AAI,” it said.

[I. Wong 0]

Air Asia SBW-SIN starting December 2022, 4X weekly

[JuliusWong 0]

AirAsia Group Fleet Movement November 21, 2022

Airbus A320-216   MSN 3729          OE-LTR     Greylag Goose Leasing     ferried 15-16nov22 DMK-MCT-IST-BRU, regd 18nov22     ex HS-ABI

https://www.skyliner-aviation.de/regdb.main?LC=nav4&page=2

[Tom/PER 0]

-XXU now back in service after being parked since February 2022.

 

[Zamir 0]

AIRASIA ADDS JOHOR BAHRU – PHNOM PENH IN 1Q23

AirAsia in Northern winter 2022/23 season continues to expand service to Cambodia. Previously reported, the airline plans to add Penang – Phnom Penh service from 10DEC22, 2 weekly flights. The airline will now also add Johor Bahru – Phnom Penh flight, effective 02JAN23.
 
This route is also scheduled twice weekly.
 
AK1240 JHB1010 – 1055PNH 320 15
AK1241 PNH1150 – 1430JHB 320 15

[BC Tam 2]

AirAsia X seeks to merge with Capital A’s aviation arm AirAsia, confirms The Edge report | The Edge Markets

Very interesting - anyone saw this coming ?! 😀

[flee 5]

Yes, this merger was discussed at AGMs of Airasia X some years ago, when its share price started tanking.

But the merger makes even more sense now - they are doing what Scoot and Tigerair did - the resulting efficiencies in managing short and long haul operations will benefit both airlines.

[JuliusWong 0]

AirAsia X new addition has arrived few days ago. Ex-Philippines Airlines (PR) airframe MSN1457 now registered as 9M-XBF. Started service to Melbourne recently in all white livery. Saw online photo, it still has the PR interior. What an upgrade for those lucky ones! Yet to come is MSN1467.

At the same time, BOC Aviation repossessed MSN 1589 9M-XXV, flown out today to Clark Airport, The Philippines I think. That would be the last BOC Aviation airframes to taken back. No more BOC A330 airframe in AirAsia Group.

9M-XXJ, now VP-CSU MSN 1423 has returned to KUL after short period of storage at NAP. 

 

Edited December 4, 2022 by JuliusWong

[JuliusWong 0]

AirAsia Group is currently facing mass exodus of pilots, especially A320 pilots to MYAirline. New intake for cadet pilot program will commence soon, hopefully can cover some of leavers.

Also losing their cabin crew to Gulf Air, Emirates, Qatar and Etihad. Singapore Airlines and Scoot are literally taking in almost everyone who went for their interview. MH, FY and Maswings are suffering the same issue. Sad to say after pandemic drama, not many youngsters would pick airline industry as a job.

Edited December 6, 2022 by JuliusWong

[jahur 0]

52 minutes ago, JuliusWong said:

AirAsia Group is currently facing mass exodus of pilots, especially A320 pilots to MYAirline. New intake for cadet pilot program will commence soon, hopefully can cover some of leavers.

Also losing their cabin crew to Gulf Air, Emirates, Qatar and Etihad. Singapore Airlines and Scoot are literally taking in almost everyone who went for their interview. MH, FY and Maswings are suffering the same issue. Sad to say after pandemic drama, not many youngsters would pick airline industry as a job.

If the pay and benefits is good we would not have such large exodus every 2-3years. Unfortunately our low yielding market has pressured many high hours folks to overseas. There has to be a balance ratio of experienced crew in Malaysia that line is gradually decreasing with so many freshies coming in. The same thing is occurring in Indonesia. Most U.S based carriers did an immediate revision towards pilot pay 2 years ago and it did some work in deterring quite a few from leaving. Malaysia can't afford to so unfortunately.

Then there's the cadet issue. Its all bank loans now no full funding long bond support from the airlines. So many airline cadet batches from year 2019-2020 eating dust now still not taken by airline for type rating while banks are chasing them to repay the loans while the airlines runs off. Meanwhile the gov is on blind autopilot on matters like these. Stuff like this just discourage youngsters from attempting with no security offered from the airline. Airlines would say pilot shortage you'll definitely be hired during interview then when there's a pandemic or spicy economic downturn they'll just bail and you have swallow the rm400k loan all by yourself. 

Edited December 6, 2022 by jahur

[Zamir 0]

AIRASIA X DEC 2022 – MAR 2023 SERVICE ADJUSTMENT – 04DEC22

AirAsia X in recent schedule update adjusted planned operations for Northern winter 2022/23 season. As of 04DEC22, planned service adjustment (previously not covered) between December 2022 and March 2023 as follows.

Kuala Lumpur – Denpasar eff 18DEC22 Increase from 5 to 7 weekly
Kuala Lumpur – Gold Coast eff 15FEB23 Service resumption, 3 weekly (Service announced on Monday 05DEC22)
Kuala Lumpur – Jeddah eff 07FEB23 Reduce from 6 to 5 weekly
Kuala Lumpur – Osaka Kansai eff 20JAN23 Service resumption, 3 weekly (4 from 13FEB23)
Kuala Lumpur – Osaka Kansai – Honolulu Planned service resumption for Honolulu from 01FEB23 moved to 28MAR23 at earliest
Kuala Lumpur – Seoul Incheon eff 01DEC22 Increase from 5 to 7 weekly (10 weekly from 01FEB23)
Kuala Lumpur – Taipei Taoyuan eff 15JAN23 Increase from 3 to 7 weekly

Separately, The Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) in October 2022 awarded following traffic rights to AirAsia X, posted in November. Following routes to be commenced from January 2023 at earliest:

Kuala Lumpur – Hong Kong 7 weekly
Kuala Lumpur – Macau 7 weekly

[BC Tam 2]

No merger of AirAsia's aviation business, says Fernandes | The Edge Markets

Numero Uno has clarified - they will NOT merge (will probably then mean having to give up on many licences and rights otherwise)

By the sound of it, probably a common foster parent structure with the kiddos fending for themselves in their own patches 😀

[Craig 0]

On 12/6/2022 at 6:38 PM, jahur said:

If the pay and benefits is good we would not have such large exodus every 2-3years. Unfortunately our low yielding market has pressured many high hours folks to overseas. There has to be a balance ratio of experienced crew in Malaysia that line is gradually decreasing with so many freshies coming in. The same thing is occurring in Indonesia. Most U.S based carriers did an immediate revision towards pilot pay 2 years ago and it did some work in deterring quite a few from leaving. Malaysia can't afford to so unfortunately.

Then there's the cadet issue. Its all bank loans now no full funding long bond support from the airlines. So many airline cadet batches from year 2019-2020 eating dust now still not taken by airline for type rating while banks are chasing them to repay the loans while the airlines runs off. Meanwhile the gov is on blind autopilot on matters like these. Stuff like this just discourage youngsters from attempting with no security offered from the airline. Airlines would say pilot shortage you'll definitely be hired during interview then when there's a pandemic or spicy economic downturn they'll just bail and you have swallow the rm400k loan all by yourself. 

Isn't that what a lot of airlines experienced in 2020/2021? I think the airlines couldn't hire crew fast enough to cover the expansion in late 2021 and 2022? US has the benefit of increasing salary but the next downturn is expected to hit in a few months - so maybe the crew hire will be "temp"?

[jahur 0]

14 hours ago, Craig said:

Isn't that what a lot of airlines experienced in 2020/2021? I think the airlines couldn't hire crew fast enough to cover the expansion in late 2021 and 2022? US has the benefit of increasing salary but the next downturn is expected to hit in a few months - so maybe the crew hire will be "temp"?

Every 5 to 10 years there's a downturn and no one in the industry preps for it. Its freemarket overexpansion followed by drastic downsizing and investors flip flopping while the government around the world gradually let go of any control and allow the market forces to dictate. The losing end are the customers(seats getting smaller, overbooking, flip flop scheduling changes) and employees all in an effort to make flying more receivable and affordable to the masses. 

Edited December 8, 2022 by jahur