AirAsia X
| File:Aax.jpg | |||||||
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| Founded | 2007 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubs | Kuala Lumpur International Airport | ||||||
| Fleet size | 1 (15 on order) | ||||||
| Destinations | 2 | ||||||
| Parent company | FlyAsianXpress | ||||||
| Headquarters | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ||||||
| Key people | Tony Fernandes, Sir Richard Branson | ||||||
| Website | http://www.airasiax.com | ||||||
AirAsia X, once called Air Asia Long Haul[1], is a brand name to a new long-haul budget airline, FlyAsianXpress that will begin operations on September 2007 in Australia.[2] FlyAsianXpress (FAX) is a small airline serving rural routes in East Malaysia which franchises the brand name of AirAsia, Asia's largest low cost carrier. AirAsia X will use the parent company AirAsia's ticketing website, livery, uniforms, and management style.[3]
Destinations
Air Asia X announced the Gold Coast as its first destination.[4] The airline is working towards a commencement date of late September or early October 2007, pending the security of other necessary approvals. Flights to Avalon, near Melbourne, could begin around March next year, and to Stansted in London late 2008 after AirAsia X was today granted the rights to fly there.[5]
AirAsia X has also secured rights to land in China, Korea and West Asia.[6]
It is planned that future expansion of the airline will include destinations in India, the Middle East and Europe.[7][8] It is reported that the Malaysian government has given AirAsia X rights to 36 international destinations.[7]
Southeast Asia
- Malaysia
- Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) - main hub
Oceania
- Australia
- Gold Coast (Gold Coast Airport) (Commencing October 2007)
History
On May 17, 2007, Tony Fernandes announced plans to commence flights from Malaysia to Australia. Fernandes has said he will be avoiding Sydney Airport due to its high fees, instead concentrating on cheaper alternatives such as Melbourne's Avalon Airport, Newcastle and Adelaide. Sustained fares are predicted to be around 800MYR ($285AUD) return plus taxes.[9] Interest has also been given to the Gold Coast as another Australian destination.[10]
Several major developments were announced on 10 August 2007. AirAsia X announced its first route from Kuala Lumpur to the Gold Coast. One way fares for this route have been touted to begin at RM 90 (A$31) excluding taxes and charges, with average return prices to be approximately 1900 ringgit ($A647), excluding taxes and charges.[11]
The airline also announced that Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group will take a 20% share in the airline to help kick-start its long haul operations and to finance aircraft purchases. [12][13] Richard also forecast that there will be a strong possibility of formal links between Virgin Blue and AirAsia X in the future, such as codesharing and frequent flyer programme.[14]
The first AirAsia X aircraft, will be named after the pioneer and founder of the low cost model, the late Sir Freddie Laker of Skytrain in Europe. [15]
Fleet
| Aircraft | # | Seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A330-300 | 16 (15 on Order, 1 Lease) | 396 (28/368) |
On 14 May 2007, AirAsia confirmed that it had ordered 15 Airbus A330-300 aircraft, 5 more than originally announced. [16] The aircraft are scheduled for delivery from the fourth quarter of 2008. AirAsia would make a decision on whether to buy a further 10 A330-300 aircraft by end of 2007. [17]
References
- ^ "Two aircraft engine makers vie for billion-ringgit supply contract". theStar. 2007-6-12.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "AirAsia X to order up to 15 Airbus aircraft". BBC. 2007-03-12.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "X-citing deal for air travellers". The Star. 2007-01-06.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)The Airline will be operating "incredibly" cheap prices to and from Asia to the East Coast of Australia - ^ "AFly-from-Australia-to-Malaysia-for-A31". The Age. 2007-08-10.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "AirAsia to fly to Victoria, Queensland". News Limited. 2007-08-10.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Virgin Group Takes 20 Pct Stake In AirAsia X". Bernama.
- ^ a b "AirAsia X to order up to 15 A330-300". Luchtzak.be. 2007-04-24.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) Cite error: The named reference "Luchtzak.be" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ "Budget airline Air Asia to reveal its destinations in India and Australia".
- ^ "Cut-price airlines landing like flies". Sydney Morning Herald. 2007-05-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Jetstar terminates Melbourne-Hawaii route. 2007-08-08 http://www.etravelblackboard.com/index.asp?id=67743&nav=2.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Fly from Australia to Malaysia for $A31 http://http://www.theage.com.au/news/WORLD/Fly-from-Australia-to-Malaysia-for-A31/2007/08/10/1186530606476.html.
{{cite news}}: Check|url=value (help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "AirAsia to fly to Victoria, Queensland". News Limited. 2007-08-10.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Branson to take 20 per cent stake in AirAsia". The Age. 2007-08-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Daniel Breen. "Billionaire Branson and AirAsia X move into Avalon". The Geelong Advertisers.
- ^ http://www.airasia.com/site/en/pressRelease.jsp?id=4ecbd7df-ac1e00ae-1ad0d890-818ad7e7
- ^ [1]
- ^ AirAsia confirms 15 Airbus A330-300 deal [2]
