AirAsia in talks for more direct flights into China

[Naim 6]

I think we will look at anywhere within four hours (of flight) ...

 

I just wanna go to Kunming and Xi'an.

 

+++

 

The Edge Daily

 

AirAsia in talks for more direct flights into China

by Gan Yen Kuan

 

AirAsia Bhd, which made its foray into China with the launch of the Kuala Lumpur-Shenzhen route yesterday, is in talks with the Ministry of Transport for more direct flights into China.

 

Its group chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes said the China market presented huge potential, as there were increasing numbers of travellers, particularly from the middle class.

 

"We are now beginning to develop China (market). We are discussing with the ministry. I think we will look at anywhere within four hours (of flight)," he told reporters at the launch of KL-Shenzhen's maiden flight here yesterday.

 

AirAsia's KL-Shenzhen flight departs from Kuala Lumpur to Shenzhen at 16:25 daily, while departing from Shenzhen to Kuala Lumpur at 20:45 daily.

 

The government has also given AirAsia the rights to fly to Shenzhen from Kota Kinabalu and the carrier is waiting for the clearance from the Chinese authorities.

 

Shenzhen is a fast-growing economic zone in Southern China with 15 million population. Fernandes said the KL-Shenzhen route would facilitate more travellers from the Pearl Delta region to tap into AirAsia's extensive network in Southeast Asia and vice-versa.

 

He said the KL-Shenzhen route was the "best route ever" since the airline began operations about six years ago, as more than 5,000 seats were snapped up in the first week after the tickets were open for sale on June 14.

 

He added that 90% of the total seats available in July had been sold, while the take-up of seats in September was approaching 75%.

 

"This is our fastest selling route. To date, we have sold more than 30,000 seats for Shenzhen and we are even convinced that our first foray entry to China presents tremendous potential for us to tap into this exciting vast market," he said.

 

Fernandes said AirAsia was also applying for a second daily flight to Shenzhen from Kuala Lumpur and expected to get the second frequency as early as September.

 

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.js...087270-2d9d06b5