KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Group Bhd
’s consolidated air operator’s certificates (AOCs), recorded the very best quarterly load factor and capability at 80% and three.4 million respectively in fourth quarter of 2021 (4Q21) for the reason that starting of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The price range provider mentioned passengers carried elevated 103% to 2.7 million year-on-year (YoY) in 4Q21 which surpassed the capability improve of 70%, resulting in a 13 proportion factors (ppts) enchancment in load factor to 80%.
Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) grew by 72% YoY, primarily attributable to strong demand from the introduction of quarantine free journey bubbles for Malaysia and the easing of journey restrictions in 4Q2021.
“In FY2021, the load factor for the consolidated AOCs remained healthy at 74% with strategies implemented to manage the multiple disruptive lockdowns imposed by respective governments,” it mentioned in a press release.
The provider mentioned the improved month-to-month efficiency of passengers carried and extra capability throughout the group indicated a V-shaped resumption pattern in air journey demand all through 2021.
Additionally, the group is anticipating to see a surge in demand following the latest bulletins that the Thai authorities is resuming its quarantine-free journey scheme from Feb 1, 2022 and the Malaysia authorities resumed the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Malaysia and Singapore, efficient Jan 24, 2022.
“AirAsia Malaysia passengers carried and capacity has increased by 164% and 139% respectively as compared to the same quarter in previous year off the back of rising demand after the reopening of state borders announced by the Government of Malaysia.
Load factor increased by 7ppts YoY and 19ppts QoQ to 80% in conjunction with the year-end festive season and increased frequencies on high demand routes including between Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, followed by the Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu route in November and December 2021.
“It is the company’s expectation that the uptrend in demand for interstate travel will continue after the government allows fully vaccinated residents to cross state lines,” it mentioned.
AirAsia Indonesia posted a commendable load factor of 87% in December 2021, 81% for the quarter which grew 22ppts YoY.
AirAsia Philippines continued to outperform in 4Q2021 with seats bought in 4Q21 doubling from 3Q2021.
For 4Q21, AirAsia Thailand operated extra home capability than within the earlier quarter, on the again of sturdy demand.
AirAsia Thailand carried 1.15 million passengers. Load factor rose to 78% in December 2021.
For the total yr, AirAsia Thailand carried 2.93 million passengers, declining by 69% YoY, in keeping with the deduction of ASK and capability.
In FY2021, load factor was reported at 68% with a complete fleet of 60 plane.
