AirAsia NEW ROUTES: Singapore and Makassar Makassar-Kinabalu

AirAsia Indonesia will make Makassar as a hub for international routes from eastern Indonesia, with the opening of routes to explore Makassar - Singapore and Makassar - Kota Kinabalu.

Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Indonesia Dharmadi said that with the opening of a sales office in Makassar is expected to start making capital of South Sulawesi as an international aviation hub, in addition to continue to develop domestic routes.

"We hope that soon we'll be the permission for opening the route to Singapore, Makassar could be a hub for international routes because of the closer here, including the Kinabalu," he said after opening a sales office in Makassar AirAsia Indonesia, Wednesday (20/2).

Dharmadi a former pilot, said after later getting permission Makassar - Singapore and Makassar - Kinabaru, the route can be connected with international routes have been opened by AirAsia Berhad are like Kuala Lumpur - Jeddah.

"So later on if it is open, it can be connected with a network of AirAsia, so from Makassar - Kuala Lumpur - Jeddah. Anniversary of Makassar is not too far either he said.

Nevertheless, the company also remains focused on domestic routes such as to Manado, Surabaya and Bali. The opening of the sales office located at Jalan Boulevard, Ruko Ruby, Panakukkang, Makassar, was inaugurated by national leaders as well as former Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

Sales office is the ninth of the total Indonesia AirAsia sales offices that are scattered in Jakarta, Bandung, Medan, Yogyakarta, Bali and Surabaya. Indonesia AirAsia is currently serving 70 routes, which are connected through six hubs namely Jakarta, Bandung, Bali, Surabaya, Medan and Makassar.

From the Makassar hub, already operates routes Makassar - Kuala Lumpur four times a week so it will be changed to daily, while for domestic routes from Makassar hub currently serves Makassar – Jakarta twice per day, Makassar - Balikpapan once, and at 1 March serving Bali, Manado, and Surabaya.

He said the government of Indonesia and Singapore also recently signed a bilateral agreement about the airline industry so that it can be used by the company and other airlines to explore the route to the land of the lion. "Basically, we have developed a connection from hub to hub, for example, from the hub of international routes to London and Singapore for example. Makassar location support," he said.
 
Dharmadi said that until now the company operates a fleet of some 22 aircraft and Makassar hub of which is allocated two planes. He said the addition of the aircraft when it is supported also by the policy of the company aircraft rental. This year the company will add nine aircraft so that its fleet to 31 aircraft.

AirAsia Indonesia, he said, aims to add 10 aircraft per year in the next few years in line with the company's efforts in developing business expansion. This year the company expects the number of passengers could reach 8.5 million - 9 million compared with last year's 6 million passengers.

In that occasion, former Vice President who is currently the Chairman of the Red Cross Indonesia Jusuf Kalla said there are several ways to measure the development of an area and two of which productivity and facilities.

But he said if the area is already well in terms of productivity and connectivity facilities to be supported by other regions.

"Economic growth in Makassar is higher than the national economic growth of 6.2%, while the Makassar only 9% due to productivity as well, so this Makassar airport facilities in terms of the center position for a flight to the East and the West," Kalla said.

South Sulawesi Provincial Government Assistant Public Welfare Charity Natsir added just feel if AirAsia makes Makassar as an international aviation hub of eastern Indonesia. "In the last five years our economic growth above 8%, 8.46% to be exact, while we also keep inflation at the level of 3.2% is the lowest compared to other regions," he said.

Indonesia AirAsia intends to IPO in the first quarter of 2013

PT Indonesia AirAsia will offer it’s IPO in the first quarter of 2013. The move comes after AirAsia moved its regional operations center to Indonesia.

Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia said the plan follows the steps taken by AirAsia X Sdn Bhd which will go public around October-November 2012. AirAsia X is a AirAsia business unit that specializes in serving long-haul flights.

Tony admitted that no bank was appointed as the lead underwriter yet. "The decision depends on the board of directors," he said.

AirAsia has decided to focus on developing the market in Indonesia. One proof shifts Tony Fernandes of AirAsia Sdn Bhd became Indonesia AirAsia. Tony replaced by Aireen Omar who is regional head of corporate finance and treasury AirAsia.

AirAsia currently has a 49% stake in Indonesia AirAsia. It operates 17 Airbus A320 aircraft and serves six cities in Indonesia. The airline is also flying from Indonesia to the four cities of Southeast Asia and one city in Australia.

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AIR ASIA Indonesia fly-thru service, Bandung-China

Air Asia Indonesia held a fly-thru service, linking Bandung with major cities in China. Bandung - China interconnection service which was launched two weeks ago it easier for passengers to fly to China, because it uses only one ticket although have to transit via Kuala Lumpur (KL).

Air Asia Indonesia Communications Manager Audrey Progastama Petriny said Air Asia fly thru add service in order to connect the major cities in Indonesia to China every day.

"Air Asia fly-thru service connects Jakarta, Bandung, Medan, and Surabaya to several cities in China such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Macao, and Hong Kong," said Audrey.

So far, Bandung residents who want to travel to China to go through Kuala Lumpur or Singapore first. Flights to China to do with connecting flights to Kuala Lumpur where consumers no longer need to take care of the new airline tickets. "One ticket for the two destinations," she said.

Passengers fly thru service users from Bandung to make a reservation or purchase tickets with a booking code and one ticket to two destinations at once. "Passengers can save the cost of visa application, because passengers can travel without a transit visa," she said.

"We will also process the baggage to the final destination. This means that passengers do not have to make the process of moving luggage from destination to destination early next," she explained.

According to Audrey, since Air Asia opened the Bandung-Kuala Lumpur route, the airline passenger growth shows quite positive. Air Asia recorded an average load factor above 80%. "If from Bandung to China, load factor its just of 5%," she said. This service is Bandung predominantly of going to China, rather than vice versa. "If from other cities could reach 10%," said Audrey.

Air Asia Indonesia will continue to boost the promotion of these services so tourists visiting Bandung-China China and vice versa is growing. She hoped that in the future Air Asia can serve other direct routes which connecting Indonesia with a number of countries in the world. Air Asia currently serves 150 routes, with 76 destinations that connect 22 countries.

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INDONESIA AIRASIA revenue increase 34.4%

PT Indonesia AirAsia has established itself in the low cost carrier (LCC). Over the past year, Indonesia AirAsia managed to collect revenue of IDR 3.7 trillion. This achievement is up 34.4% over 2010 revenue of IDR 2.7 trillion.

The increase is due to the addition of passenger revenue during 2011. "Indonesia Air Asia’s passengers increased 28% from year to year," said Jasmindar Kaur, AirAsia Berhad Company Secretary.

The report noted, the number of Indonesia AirAsia passengers achieved 5 million people last year. This number jumped 27.7% of total passengers in 2010 that as many as 3.9 million people. The increase is due to increased passenger Indonesia AirAsia passenger capacity of 5.1 million passengers to 6.4 million passengers. Of payload capacity, the average occupancy rate (load factor) is stable at 77%.

In addition, the number of flights by Indonesia AirAsia also increased 24% last year. In 2010 Indonesia AirAsia flight frequency reached 29,668 times, then last year the frequency of flight reached 36,653 times.

However, despite increased revenue, but Indonesia AirAsia's net profit in 2011 fell 86.9% from IDR 474.4 billion in 2010 to IDR 62.08 billion. Increased of burden of financing may the cause of the decline in net income. In addition, crude oil prices rose sharply last year also helped hoist the price of aviation fuel. "That's why Indonesia AirAsia's fuel costs last year totaled IDR 1.7 trillion," continued Jasmindar. These costs increased 67.2% of fuel costs in 2010 which amounted to IDR 1.02 trillion.

Not only Indonesia AirAsia is reaching revenue growth. Last year, the parent company of Indonesia AirAsia, AirAsia Bhd which also managed to record a revenue of RM 4.47 billion, up 13.31% of revenues in 2010 which amounted to RM 3.9 billion.

However, similar to Indonesia AirAsia, AirAsia Berhad's net profit also fell 46.8% from RM 1.06 billion to RM 564.1 million. This is triggered by rising fuel costs 41.6% of RM 1.2 billion in 2010 to RM 1.7 billion in 2011.  AirAsia Bhd while the number of passengers increased 12%, from 16 million passengers in 2010 to 17 million passengers in 2011. That, supported by increased transport capacity of Air Asia as much as 9%. In addition, this increase was also supported by the addition of the fleet. When in 2010 AirAsia Bhd has 53 fleet, then in 2011 increased to 57 fleet.

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AIRASIA opens new flight route SEMARANG - Kuala Lumpur

Low cost carrier, AirAsia, on Monday February 2, was officially have its maiden new flight route from Semarang to Kuala Lumpur. At this inaugural flight, occupancy rates of more than 90%.

Air Asia Regional Head of Commercial Kathleen Tan said Semarang is an unique destination. Many things that make Semarang is interesting, from rapid economic growth, colonial heritage buildings, to the islands within a short tour. "We're really excited to bring tourists from around the world to this historic Semarang," she said.

With the opening of the new route Semarang - Kuala Lumpur, AirAsia already flies to Kuala Lumpur from 14 cities in Indonesia. Prior to Semarang, among other previous departures are from Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Yogyakarta, Bandung, Denpasar, Solo, Balikpapan, Palembang, Aceh, Pekanbaru, Padang, and Makassar.

To strengthen the network of routes, AirAsia will also serve Semarang - Jakarta route twice per day, starting March 9. AirAsia Indonesia president director Dharmadi said that this step taken by the company's commitment to serving the domestic market, because the international market is already quite strong.

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AIRASIA Opens Direct Flight Kuala Lumpur-Sydney

AirAsia X, an affiliate of AirAsia, expanded its network in Australia with the launch of direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney.

In its maiden flight on April 1, 2012, AirAsia X offers fare airline seat, ranging from IDR 607.000 (one way) for economy class and start from IDR 3.047.000 each way for flights with Premium Fly Flatbed.

"The opening of routes from the hub in Kuala Lumpur to Sydney is the culmination of our dreams and all associated with AirAsia X, in particular the Group CEO of AirAsia, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes," said AirAsia X CEO Azran Osman Rani.

He believes in the last 4 years the company can do things that seem impossible to do.

The launch of new routes announced by AirAsia X CEO, Azran Osman-Rani, AirAsia X Chairman, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Destination New South Wales CEO, Sandra Chipchase, Sydney Airport Executive Director of Aviation Services, Shelley Roberts, representatives from the tourism department.

Azran added from 1 April 2012, AirAsia X, an affiliate of AirAsia who serve long-haul flights, will fly daily from their hub at Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Kingsford Smith, Sydney.

With the opening of Kuala Lumpur – Sydney route, passengers will be able to perform advanced flight to more than 80 destinations through 165 owned by AirAsia routes to countries in Asia and beyond.

Sydney became the fourth AirAsia X destinations in Australia after the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth. This route as well be the only low cost direct flights from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur.

According to him, Australia is a major market share for AirAsia X, and Sydney route has long been a priority of the company due to high demand from the users of air travel services.

"Our goal is to make the journey to international destinations become more affordable for all people, and now our passengers will be able to explore Sydney, Australia and other areas with our extensive route network and at an affordable cost," he said.

He was optimistic that the new route is able to follow the success of the route that had been launched earlier, namely the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth.

Azran explains fly-thru service will be available for those who will fly to Sydney from Indonesia (Bali, Medan, Surabaya and Jakarta), Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket), Singapore, and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City). This service also allows passengers to buy an airline seat for the two routes at once via Kuala Lumpur.

AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said the launch of the new route is not only good news for its customers, but also for the tourism industry, particularly in Sydney.

"Sydney is also AirAsia X has become a priority because of high demand for direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to the city," he added.

Kuala Lumpur - Sydney route to start operations using aircraft type Airbus A330-300 with a configuration of 12 seats and 365 flatbed Premium fly economy class seats.

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Strengthen the domestic market, AirAsia open a new route from Surabaya

The airlines company, Indonesia AirAsia continues to strengthen domestic routes. On February 14, 2012, Indonesia AirAsia will open a new domestic route flights, Surabaya – Bandung and Surabaya – Denpasar.

"In addition to our commitment to develop the domestic routes, the second launch of this route is also our responsibility to encourage tourism and the economy of the archipelago," said Dharmadi, the President Director of AirAsia Indonesia on Monday (12/12).

Surabaya is the second largest city in Indonesia. Capital city of East Java's economy is based on the industrial sector and services trade, as well as the home of creative industries in the number of sectors, including advertising, architecture, crafts, interactive entertainment, publishing and printing.

Meanwhile, Bandung, according Dharmadi, known as the "Emerging Creative City" that offers a diverse product distributions, soap opera production houses, and culinary. The young generation of Bandung which will be full of innovative ideas has pushed the creative industries in the city is growing very rapidly.

Similar to Bandung, Bali also has the attraction of creative industries is unusually large, but rather based on local culture. Besides being a favorite tourist destination in the world, the island is also famous for its performances of traditional performing arts and antiques.

"With the new route Surabaya - Bandung and Surabaya - Denpasar, then Bandung, Bali and Surabaya are connected directly. Domestic connectivity is expected to facilitate and enhance the creative market exchanges among the three cities, "said Dharmadi. Previously, AirAsia already opened Surabaya – Medan route in 2010 and Jakarta to Semarang route.

For information, in the year 2012, AirAsia plans to increase market share in Indonesia from 3% to 10% and the target number of passengers to 6.2 million people. To achieve that, AirAsia has ordered 21 Airbus A-320 until later in 2016. In addition, AirAsia also began aggressively to open domestic routes in Indonesia.

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AirAsia will move its regional office to Jakarta

Low-cost carrier, AirAsia has said it will focus work on the ASEAN market. Unmitigated AirAsia will move its regional office to Jakarta next year.

"We want to be the ASEAN airline. We probably bring most ASEAN passengers than other airlines, "said CEO of Air Asia, Tony Frenandes at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Bali International Convention Center, Nusa Dua, on Thursday (17/11).

AirAsia's regional offices will move from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta. The launch of the new office itself will take place in January 2012. Tony said AirAsia moved into offices in Jakarta because the office was located ASEAN secretariat in Jakarta. "We want to show that we are no longer a carrier of Malaysia, Thailand, or Indonesia. But we are an ASEAN airline, "he said.

In addition to moving his office, AirAsia will add approximately 100 of the aircraft next year. These planes will serve particular routes in ASEAN. "The problem is, every airline is now looking for the plane. It is a nice problem, "he said. Tony adds, AirAsia is targeting growth of its business was not too affected by floods in Thailand. The company is still optimistic that could grow 20% this year.

Regarding the ASEAN open sky policy, Tony said he really supported it and did not see the risk of Indonesian airlines will lose the market. "Let us be more confident. What is good for the people of Indonesia? I think AirAsia has been quite beneficial to many people of Indonesia, business, hotels, labor, and the pilot is growing. We must think big, think ASEAN, if not we will be beaten by China and India," he said.

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INDONESIA AirAsia international flight move to Terminal 3

Planning of Indonesia AirAsia (IAA) to bring together domestic and international flights in Terminal 3 of Soekarno Hatta Airport closer to reality. In the near term, PT Angkasa Pura (AP) II will provide a license to use the terminal 3 for the entire flight operation of IAA.

"Beginning next September we have been granted permission to IndonesiaAirAsia to operate in the terminal 3. Later planned to co-exist with other airlines such as Wings Air and Mandala Airlines that still wanted to fly," said Managing Director of AP II, Tri S Sunoko in Jakarta.

Director of operations and Techniques AP II, Salahuddin Rafi said, IAA international flight operations transfers made ​​to reduce the burden of international flights at the terminal 2 which is quite high. "International flight of Indonesia AirAsia is not much. But at least to reduce the existing burden, and could facilitate the IAA itself," said Rafi.

According to him, the capacity of Terminal 3 have been yet used to the maximum is 4 million passengers. In 2010 only 1.9 million passengers traveled by. Now estimated to be reduced, because Mandala Airlines no longer in operation. "Therefore, we provide international flights of Indonesia AirAsia to terminal 3, to be maximum," he said.

Next year, he explained, it is estimated there will be many more airlines are using the terminal 3 of Soekarno Hatta Airport, due to capacity will increase to 25 million passengers per year.

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