AirAsia load factor up 85% in third quarter 2016

AirAsia Bhd recorded a load factor of 85% in the third quarter (Q3) of 2016, up two percentage points from the same period last year.

The carrier said the total number of passengers carried increased 7% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 14.51 million, well ahead of the 5% increase in seat capacity.

At the end of the quarter under review, the budget airline’s total fleet size stood at 172 aircraft (174 including two aircraft delivered to AirAsia Japan but yet to commence operations).

For financial year 2016 (FY16), the airline carried a total of 56.59 million passengers for a load factor of 86%.

AirAsia said in a statement the Malaysian operations achieved a load factor of 87% in Q4, up two percentage points year-on-year.

It added that demand exceeded the 2% y-o-y increase in capacity, with the number of passengers carried rising by 5% y-o-y to 6.76 million. AirAsia Malaysia ended the quarter with a fleet size of 77 aircraft.

Thai AirAsia posted a load factor of 82% in Q4, unchanged y-o-y. The number of passengers carried was 4.37 million, an increase of 8% y-o-y, near to the capacity growth of 10% y-o-y.

“Thai AirAsia took two additional aircraft during the quarter, ending the year with a fleet of 51 aircraft. For FY16, Thai AirAsia carried 17.22 million passengers and posted a load factor of 84%, up three percentage points from FY15,” it said.

Indonesia AirAsia posted a load factor of 83% in Q4, up three percentage points y-o-y. The number of passengers carried totalled 1.55 million on a reduced capacity of 10% y-o-y, in line with the turnaround strategy.

For FY16, Indonesia AirAsia carried 6.52 million passengers and averaged a load factor of 84%.

Philippines AirAsia reported a load factor of 85% while AirAsia India posted a load factor of 86% in Q4.

Meanwhile, AirAsia X Bhd (AAX) said overall operating performance in Q4 has improved y-o-y, resulting from the successful turnaround initiatives implemented during the year.

“In Q4, the company recorded high double-digit increase in passengers carried of 40% y-o-y to 1.38 million, in line with capacity growth of 43% y-o-y. The huge capacity injected during the quarter was to cater to higher demand from year-end holiday travel,” it said in a separate statement.

AAX said passenger load factor dropped two percentage points to 81% against 83% for the same period last year, as available seat per kilometers grew 44% y-o-y to 8,474 million in Q4.

“Operationally, FY16 has been a success turnaround story, with various phases of turnaround initiative carried out positively during the year.”