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AirAsia Eyes America, Europe And Africa

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October 07, 2008 17:29 PM

 

AirAsia Eyes America, Europe And Africa

 

SEPANG, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- Low cost carrier AirAsia is eyeing new routes in America, Europe and Africa following its success in establishing operations in 11 Asean countries.

 

AirAsia Group chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said the new routes plan was not an impossible feat and will be profitable for AirAsia in future considering the good passenger growth rate it has recorded in Asean countries such as Indonesia and Thailand.

 

He, however did not say when the plans will become a reality.

 

Asked on the passenger growth rate amid the slowdown in world economy, he said it would all depend on how many new planes AirAsia will receive next year.

 

"Next year, we expect to receive nine new Airbus planes," he told reporters after attending a farewell ceremony for AirAsia's remaining Boeing 737 which made its last flight from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah to the Low Cost Carrier Terminal here today.

 

He also said that AirAsia was in a strong position to capitalise on whatever the economic situation, adding that air travel will be in business as usual because people needed to travel and that the budget airlines offered the best options currently.

 

Fernandes refused to comment on the privatisation plans for AirAsia.

 

At the event today, he also paid tribute to Boeing, saying that AirAsia started off with two Boeing 737s which had rendered them a wonderful service, and got them where they are today.

 

Replacing the Boeing 737 for the more fuel efficient Airbus A320 is an important step for AirAsia's ongoing efforts to minimise its carbon footprint. In addition, the saving AirAsia makes on fuel consumption will be passed on as low fares to its customers, he added.

 

-- BERNAMA

 

http://bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=363004

 

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i think they should target INDIA and CHINA rather than being too ambitious on the states, europe n africa.. well.. just hope it will not be like the people's express..

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Haven't started flying to PER and MEL, a spanking new A330,

Urrmmm.... Business Plans? Hell yeah... Politics? Probably not... Share price? Most likely up... Greedy? I don't know...

 

I have a mixed feelings on this..

 

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AirAsia looks to US and African markets

 

SEPANG: Having made a successful foray into the European market via London, low-cost carrier AirAsia is now looking at the United States and Africa.

 

Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes told reporters he was particularly interested in Hawaii as another of the carrier’s long-haul destinations.

 

“I know many Malaysians want to go to Hawaii although we have better beaches here,” he said, quipping that he “wanted to surf before he got too fat”.

 

We are going to Europe soon with AirAsia X so we want to expand next to the United States and South Africa. We want a strong presence in these three continents.”

 

Fernandes said he remained optimistic of the travel and low-cost airline industry despite the current world economic crisis brought on by the collapse of several banks in Europe and the US.

 

“AirAsia can expect growth next year with the opening up of new routes to Indonesia as well as the introduction of nine to 10 additional aircraft to our fleet,” he said.

 

“People will always travel. They may even switch from flying other airlines to AirAsia during the crisis,” he added.

 

However, Fernandes refused to comment on the purported deal by AirAsia to go private.

 

Earlier, Fernandes led AirAsia staff in bidding farewell to the last of the Boeing 737-300 aircraft in its fleet.

 

The carrier has switched entirely to the Airbus 320, which was expected to help the airline save through fuel efficiency.

 

The Boeing aircraft on its final flight from Kota Kinabalu landed at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal here at 9.55am.

 

As part of the ceremony, local strongman M. Muniandy pulled the aircraft for 45.72 cm with his hair.

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Didn't know that AK has gone to London already as reported by the article ??

SEPANG: Having made a successful foray into the European market via London, low-cost carrier AirAsia is now looking at the United States and Africa.

 

Why not Hawaii - Jetstar flies there from Australia!

Tourism is big there,they are successfully poised and a lot of countries tries to emulate hawaii in making themselves into a destination, we(m'sia) tried once also.

We may have better beaches, better corals and diving sites here but we lag in the line "world famous tourism destination" and the diverse landscapes, imagine - beautiful beaches, endless breath taking mountains and cliffs everywhere, active volcanoes as a national park, and of course surfing..... (to name only a few)

 

 

 

AirAsia looks to US and African markets

 

SEPANG: Having made a successful foray into the European market via London, low-cost carrier AirAsia is now looking at the United States and Africa.

 

Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes told reporters he was particularly interested in Hawaii as another of the carrier’s long-haul destinations.

 

“I know many Malaysians want to go to Hawaii although we have better beaches here,” he said, quipping that he “wanted to surf before he got too fat”.

 

We are going to Europe soon with AirAsia X so we want to expand next to the United States and South Africa. We want a strong presence in these three continents.”

 

Fernandes said he remained optimistic of the travel and low-cost airline industry despite the current world economic crisis brought on by the collapse of several banks in Europe and the US.

 

“AirAsia can expect growth next year with the opening up of new routes to Indonesia as well as the introduction of nine to 10 additional aircraft to our fleet,” he said.

 

“People will always travel. They may even switch from flying other airlines to AirAsia during the crisis,” he added.

 

However, Fernandes refused to comment on the purported deal by AirAsia to go private.

 

Earlier, Fernandes led AirAsia staff in bidding farewell to the last of the Boeing 737-300 aircraft in its fleet.

 

The carrier has switched entirely to the Airbus 320, which was expected to help the airline save through fuel efficiency.

 

The Boeing aircraft on its final flight from Kota Kinabalu landed at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal here at 9.55am.

 

As part of the ceremony, local strongman M. Muniandy pulled the aircraft for 45.72 cm with his hair.

 

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Haven't started flying to PER and MEL, a spanking new A330,

Urrmmm.... Business Plans? Hell yeah... Politics? Probably not... Share price? Most likely up... Greedy? I don't know...

 

I have a mixed feelings on this..

 

Hehehe ... hopefully not going to bungkus first. :)

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From KUL to Europe via SIN.

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meanwhile Scoot already flies to Europe

I think competition to Europe is tough and yields are low. However, TF has said that Thai Airasia X is looking into that. I think Thailand is more attractive to European travellers as Malaysia does not offer them the sun, sea, booze and girls destinations.

 

For the US, D7 is looking to operate them as fifth freedom flights via Japan. So we can expect to see KIX/NGO/NRT to US flights being launched from 2020, once the A339s are delivered and approvals obtained. The Japan-US market needs some lower fare airlines to boost the market.

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I think competition to Europe is tough and yields are low. However, TF has said that Thai Airasia X is looking into that. I think Thailand is more attractive to European travellers as Malaysia does not offer them the sun, sea, booze and girls destinations.

 

For the US, D7 is looking to operate them as fifth freedom flights via Japan. So we can expect to see KIX/NGO/NRT to US flights being launched from 2020, once the A339s are delivered and approvals obtained. The Japan-US market needs some lower fare airlines to boost the market.

D7 is a lcc, can't expect high yield like fsc.

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Correct, high yield in this context is high yield for an LCC. Not much point in flying a route if the yield is insufficient. That's why we don't see D7 in a big hurry to return to Europe.

Edited by flee

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