AirAsia operations gaining strength

Kuala Lumpur-based AirAsia Berhad, the region’s largest low-cost airline, noted strength in its Philippine operations, which started only in March 2012.

The report comes as International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced “strong demand” in terms of global passenger traffic, led by emerging markets.

AirAsia released preliminary operating figures on Thursday, indicating that unit Philippines’ AirAsia recorded a load factor of 76 percent during the first quarter of 2013. Load factor is used to measure average occupancy.

Philippines’ AirAsia, which has a fleet of two aircraft, also reported that it carried 144,000 passengers during the first quarter of the year.

By comparison, Cebu Pacific, which started in 1996 and ended last year with a fleet or 41 aircraft, flew 3.5 million passengers during the same period.

Another major budget carrier, PAL Express, a unit of flag carrier Philippines Airlines, has yet to release first quarter figures.

While a newcomer in the domestic market, AirAsia has been determined to grow its business and not just through natural or “organic expansion,” meaning it is open to acquisitions.

The Malaysian carrier owned by businessman Tony Fernandes in March announced a share swap deal that will give Philippines’ AirAsia a 49 percent stake in another local budget carrier, Zest Airways.

Zest Air operates 11 aircraft on 10 domestic and 10 international routes. Philippines’ AirAsia operates from Clark airport and flies to Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei as well as local destinations like Kalibo and Davao.

IATA, meanwhile, reported that total global traffic rose 5.9 percent in March with Asia-Pacific carriers’ traffic increasing 5.4 percent. Half of the growth in international traffic since October has been carried by Asia-Pacific carriers, IATA noted, as it cited increased capacity and load factor. Miguel R. Camus